Audio content production, audio sequencing, and audio blending system and method

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include a production content server system with a computing device processing operations include causing a content reader server to couple to a content source with content using a wired or wireless link, and downloading at least one content file associated with content retrieved from the content source, where content file includes audio and/or a video. The operations include transcoding at least a portion of the at least one content file with a dynamic range compression to a specified dynamic range, equalization and duration, and processing at least one content audio file from the at least one content file. The operations further include storing the at least one content audio file to a production content database. Some embodiments include processing a production break audio file including blending the at least one production break audio file with at least one other content file.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/246,849, filed on Oct. 27, 2015, and U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 62/254,072, filed on Nov. 11, 2015, and U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/393,522, filed on Sep. 12, 2016, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Digital and internet radio services have globally transformed thedelivery of audio content. The widespread use of digital formats such ascompressed digital content has provided broadcasters with an almostinfinite selection of content. When transitioning from one song (orother content) to another, most services do not strategically selectcontent, and build a content sequence based on genre, or play contentbased on brand, DJ, and/or listener preferences.

Digital and internet services, and other interactive audio andaudio-visual delivery services (e.g., such as iTunes, Spotify, AmazonPrime Music, Tidal, YouTube, etc.) generally include a gap betweencontent or, often sub-optimally, overlap or juxtapose a verbalannouncement, play a brief commercial, or fade to news, weather, orother information content at any time during a broadcast. Content isdisconnected, with audible and visual gaps between the items causing aloss of energy, lack of continuity and disquieting sterility in theprimary way in which users consume the content (i.e., through listeningand watching). This content experience is undifferentiated, usuallyoffering no way for a consumer to tell one service from another ifmerely listening. Generally, the listener has no control or influenceover the type, content, and frequency of any introduced content element.There is a large potential market for a production engine that createscontent to offer a customized playback experience with all or mostcontent individualized for the listener or a target audience. Thepotential is to improve the experience of consuming the content byfocusing on the presentation of the content: improving the flow betweenelements by adjusting placements; increasing the opportunity fordifferentiating the experience using personality and branding;dynamically adjusting the amplitudes of adjacent content for a lessjarring auditory transition; artfully managing the disparity of energybetween content items; and interjecting additional content to create aricher, more engaging overall consumption experience.

Some brands and/or listeners would prefer content playbackpersonalization with broader and more selectable content to definespecific moods or energy levels for specified time periods within abroadcast. There is a large potential market for services that offer afully customized and automated playback experience where the contentmood or energy can be customizable to the listener.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments include a production content server system comprising acomputing device comprising at least one processor, and a non-transitorycomputer readable medium, having stored thereon, instructions that whenexecuted by the computing device, cause the computing device to performoperations. The operations include causing a content reader server tocouple to at least one content source with content using a wired orwireless link, and downloading at least one content file associated withat least some content retrieved from the content source, where contentfile includes at least one of an audio and a video. The operationsinclude transcoding at least a portion of the at least one content filewith a dynamic range compression to a specified dynamic range,equalization and duration, and processing at least one content audiofile from the at least one content file. The operations further includestoring the at least one content audio file to a production contentdatabase.

In some embodiments of the invention, the operations include translatingany headline and article text associated with the at least one contentfile and processing to rendered speech using a speech to text file. Theoperations can also include processing the rendered speech to audiospeech files, the audio speech files being specified to a pre-selecteddynamic range, equalization and duration, and processing the at leastone content audio file with audio actuality of content derived from theat least one content file and the speech file. Further, the at least onecontent audio file comprises at least one multimedia element includedbased on a context of any complete or partial story of the content.

In some embodiments, the at least one content source includes at leastone of an RSS feed, a JSON file, a PDX file, a CSV file, and a textfile. In some further embodiments, the at least one content sourcecomprises a third-party server or database, and/or at least one internalserver or database of the production content server system.

In some further embodiments, the content includes a news article, and/ora news brief, a news event, and/or a news break, and/or a newsannouncement, and/or a current news event, lifestyle related news,and/or social media news, and/or a past or historical news event. Insome embodiments, the content includes an article or event, and/or acommercial or ad, and/or announcer information, and/or DJ information,and/or at least a portion of a song, and/or music, sound effect, and/ortrivia information, and/or weather information, and/or lifestyle relatedinformation, and/or social media information, and/or interviewer orinterviewee information.

Some embodiments include a content maker server front end coupled to theproduction content database. The content maker server front end isconfigured and arranged to select and assemble production content usingat least one content audio file from the production content database.

In some embodiments of the invention, the operations comprise receivingfrom a user content break parameters including a type of content, and/ora content age or currency, and/or a number of content articles toinclude, and/or a language, and/or a start time, and/or a volume, and/ora duration of a single content article or group of content articles,and/or user or system-specified defaults. The operations also includeretrieving at least one content audio file by accessing the productioncontent database, where the at least one content audio file is selectedbased at least in part on the content break parameters. Further, theoperations include attempting preparation of at least one sequenceincluding a timing to voice start using the at least one content file,where a successful attempt is based at least in part on user providedpriorities, one or more priorities from the content break parameters,and one or more parameters from the at least one new content audio file.For a successful attempt, the sequence is used and a production breakaudio file includes the at least one content audio file. For anunsuccessful attempt, the operations include returning to retrieving atleast one content audio file and repeating attempting preparation of theat least one sequence using a number of breadth of content themes andcontent times that exceeds the breadth of content themes and contenttimes of prior attempts.

In some embodiments, the operations comprise selecting at least oneproduction break audio file, and blending the at least one productionbreak audio file with at least one other content file. In someembodiments, the at least one other content file includes a song and/ora music audio file. In some further embodiments, the blending comprisesan overlap between the at least one production break audio file and theat least one other content file. In some embodiments, the blending isbased on a mood, and/or a specific voice override, and/or a style,and/or a genre of the at least one other content file. In some furtherembodiments, the production break parameters include a mood, and/or aspecific voice override, and/or genre of the at least other contentfile. In some other embodiments, at least one other content file isselected based at least in part on an availability of production breakaudio file and the mood, a specific voice override, and genre of the atleast other content file.

Some embodiments of the invention include a production content serversystem comprising a computing device comprising at least one processor,and a non-transitory computer readable medium, having stored thereon,instructions that when executed by the computing device, cause thecomputing device to perform operations. The operations include causing acontent maker engine to couple to at least one content server ordatabase, where the at least one content server or database includes atleast one content audio file, and the at least one content audio filecomprises content from at least one content source. The content includesaudio and/or video. Further, the operations include receiving from auser content break parameters including a type of content, and/or acontent age or currency, and/or a number of content articles to include,and/or a language, and/or a start time, and/or a volume, and/or aduration of a single content article or group of content articles.Further, the operations include retrieving at least one content audiofile by accessing the production content database. The at least onecontent audio file is selected based at least in part on the contentbreak parameters. The operations further include attempting preparationof at least one sequence including a timing to voice start using the atleast one content file, where a successful attempt is based at least inpart on user provided priorities, one or more priorities from thecontent break parameters, and one or more parameters from the at leastone new content audio file. For a successful attempt, using thesequence, processing a production break audio file including the atleast one content audio file, and for an unsuccessful attempt, returningto retrieving at least one content audio file and repeating attemptingpreparation of the at least one sequence using a greater number ofbreadth of content themes and content times than used in any oneprevious attempt, and blending the at least one production break audiofile with at least one other content file.

In some embodiments, the at least one other content file includes atleast one of a song and a music file. In some further embodiments, theat least one content source comprises at least one of a third-partyserver or database, at least one internal server or database of theproduction content server system, a JSON file, a PDX file, a CSV file, aTEXT file, and an RSS feed. In other embodiments, the blending comprisesan overlap between the at least one production break audio file and theat least one other content file. In some further embodiments, theblending is based on a mood, and/or a specific voice override, and/or astyle, and/or a genre of the at least one other content file.

In some embodiments, the production break parameters includes a mood,and/or a specific voice override, and/or genre of the at least one othercontent file. In some embodiments, the at least one other content fileis selected based at least in part on an availability of productionbreak audio file and the mood, a specific voice override, and genre ofthe at least one other content file. In some embodiments, the contentincludes a news article, and/or a news brief, and/or a news event,and/or a news break, and/or a news announcement, and/or a current newsevent, and/or lifestyle related news, and/or social media news, and/or apast or historical news event. In some further embodiments, the contentincludes an article or event, and/or a commercial or ad, and/orannouncer information, and/or DJ information, and/or at least a portionof a song, and/or music, and/or sound effect, and/or trivia information,and/or lifestyle related information, and/or social media information,and/or weather information, and/or interviewer or intervieweeinformation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a process flow of an audio blending system and methodaccording to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a system overview of the audio blending system andmethod in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates application and use of an audio blending system andmethod for a content item illustrating gaps between items in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a source track analysis and coding in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a content item processing method in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 represents a melody identification of a content item inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 represents a beat frame identification of a content item inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of analyzing a portion of a content itemincluding LUFS analysis in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a LUFS and frequency content analysis in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a GUI interface of a level 3 content item analysissystem in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a content in type selection in a GUI interface of alevel 3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a content in mood selection in a GUI interface of alevel 3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a content in mood selection in a GUI interface of alevel 3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a content in character in a GUI interface of a level3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an overall mood selection in a GUI interface of alevel 3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an overall mood selection in a GUI interface of alevel 3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates hard and soft post selections of a content itemportion in a GUI interface of a level 3 content item analysis system inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates content out mood selection in a GUI interface of alevel 3 content item analysis system in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a content out type in a GUI interface of a level 3content item analysis system in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 19A illustrates a content out character selection in a GUIinterface of a level 3 content item analysis system in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 19B illustrates a GUI interface of a level 3 content item analysissystem in accordance with some further embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a transition determination between content items inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a transition determination between content items inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 22-24 illustrate example break constructions in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates a computer system configured for operating andprocessing components of the audio blending system and method inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates a production engine interface of the productioncontent creation server, system and method in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 27A illustrates a produced element interface of the productionengine interface of FIG. 26 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 27B illustrates a production engine interface of the productioncontent creation server, system and method in accordance with somefurther embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 28 depicts a production sequencing method according to someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 29 depicts the probability of selection of a pool of content or anycontent of any pool from being available for selection during a randomselection event in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modificationsto the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of theinvention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to belimited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Thefollowing detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigures, in which like elements in different figures have like referencenumerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize theexamples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall withinthe scope of embodiments of the invention.

Some embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include systems andmethods for transitioning one audio or audio-visual content to anotheraudio or audio-visual content. Some embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein include systems and methods for creation of audio oraudio-visual content. The inventions described herein can apply to audiocontent, visual (e.g., video) content operating on fixed and/or mobiledevices. For example, in one non-limiting example, the content caninclude one or more songs (or tracks). However, other embodiments caninclude audio content blocks (interstitials, ads, programs, features,etc.), or video elements such as video frames or images and/or moviecontent. Some embodiments of the invention described herein can be usedwith audio-only content and/or with audio-visual content. As usedherein, the systems and methods with processes describing audio canapply to audio and video. Moreover, some embodiments can operate equallywith different types of content (e.g., content that includes methodsdescribed as non-limiting embodiments for music can operate with othertypes of content such as songs, vocals, announcements, sound effects,commercials, and so on). Moreover, in some embodiments, for videocontent, the features of both the audio and the visual information canbe used to determine transition behavior.

Some embodiments of the systems and method described herein can supportany type of linear content experience where content elements (hereinreferred to as “elements”) are played in a sequence. In someembodiments, non-linear behaviors (such as a user skipping contentelements) can also be driven by the systems and methods to improve theinteractive behavior of the experience. These linear content experiencescan include, but are not limited to, algorithmic radio, human programmedradio, playlist playback, randomized shuffle playback, communallyprogrammed experiences, news programming, and any combination thereof.In some embodiments, the content can comprise a plurality of content orelements, including, but not limited to, music files, general audiocontent (such as ads, interviews, podcasts, news, sound effects, etc.),video content, or any combination of the aforementioned elements. Forexample, some embodiments include a content that comprises a contentitem or a plurality of content items, each of which can comprise one ormore elements. Further, in some embodiments, an element or plurality ofelements can be a content item and/or content. As used herein, elementsand content items can be used interchangeably. Further, in someembodiments, these content experiences can also be interactive (wherethe user can advance or rewind in the content), or can benon-interactive (like a traditional terrestrial radio broadcast).

Some embodiments include audio features extracted from the two contentitems that are being transitioned to make decisions. These audiofeatures can be extended to additionally include video features (or acombination of audio and video features) for transitioning of videoitems. In some embodiments, this feature extraction can be performedusing a combination of digital signal processing (DSP) and optionallycan include a human analysis (“tagging”). As used herein, this analysisand feature extraction is termed “splogging”, and the feature data canbe called “splog data”. In some embodiments, features gathered throughDSP processes and/or human collection can enable the system and methodengine derive a confidence about any specific content overlay, which canbe used in deciding when and where to do the overlay process. Inaddition, these features also allow for the artful placement and timingof overlays in concordance with the salient temporal moments in thecontent (sometimes called “posts”). For example, an understanding ofrhythmic, chordal and melodic content in a song over time can drive thesystem engine to appropriately overlay an announcer or advertisingmessage (with a content-appropriate voice and mood) right up to thepoint where the song's vocals begin, and without overlapping over thevocals. Further, the understanding of amplitude information alsoimportant. As used herein, the DSP process is sometimes called “featureextraction.”

In some embodiments, based at least in part on programmed heuristics,the systems and methods described herein can interject additionalcontent between or over the transitioning content. This can improve thequality of the transition, and to satisfy a set of criteria that governthe branded experience (herein referred to as “Formatics”). Further,this can satisfy other factors that govern the experience (such as rateof advertising or inclusion of breaking newscasts). In some embodiments,these extended transitions can be crafted element by element, layer bylayer in real time or near real time, and can be driven by a pluralityof individual algorithmic decisions. In other embodiments, thetransitions can conjoin several pre-produced content elements.

In some embodiments, the system and method can extract intrinsicattributes (such as those that are derived from the splogging process),metadata attributes (such as title, artist, voice, script/lyrics, theme,etc.), applied attributes (such as an arbitrary grouping), anduser-specific attributes (e.g., such as when the user last experiencedthe content, and/or when the user last experienced a related attributeof the content such as voice talent, artist, album, genre, etc.). Insome embodiments, the system and method can allow individual contentelements to be spread out over time so that produced transitions areperceived by the user or listener as being fresh and entertaining.

Using one or more embodiments as described herein, content can beproduced in real time by assembling each element based on those thatsurround it (and their inherent features), and/or the user's preferencesand history, and/or the Formatics of the broadcast channel in which thecontent is being experienced. In some embodiments, this can enableadvertisements to be “made native” with the content that surrounds them.These advertisements (as interjected content) can have dynamic voicetalent, energy of read, underscore, content overlay, sound effects, thatis custom-selected for the specific transition, user and contentchannel. The transition between elements can be used to produce contentcreating new elements that are either injected into the transition orbecome content items or elements in their own right. Using embodimentsof the method as described here can enable the creation of an audio newsbroadcast operating essentially non-stop (24 hours per day, 7 days perweek) that consists entirely of content assembled for the listener.

Some embodiments of the invention include an audio blending system andmethod capable of characterizing one or more parameters of a firstcontent (e.g., such as one audio track), one or more parameters of asecond content (e.g., such as another audio track), and blending atleast a portion of the first content with the second content. In someembodiments, the audio blending can be based at least in part on one ormore of the parameters of the first content and/or the second content.In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod can include at least one machine process such as a processperformed by a computer system based on one or more software modules ofthe audio blending system and method. In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can include one or more analysis methodsperformed by a human analyst. In some embodiments of the invention, theaudio blending system and method can analyze one or more contents usingat least one computer system based method and at least one human analystor operator.

In some embodiments, the audio source can comprise recorded audio from acomputer network or server. In some embodiments, the audio source cancomprise recorded audio from a third-party computer network or server.For example, in some embodiments, the audio source can comprise arecorded audio downloaded or streamed from a third-party web server thatincludes one or more song recordings, one or more advertisers, and/orone or more news or weather announcements. In some embodiments, the oneor more advertisers, and/or one or more news or weather announcementscan comprise recordings of human announcers. In other embodiments, theone or more advertisers, and/or one or more news or weatherannouncements can comprise synthetic or machine speech generated fromone or more text files.

The audio information processed by any of the audio blending methodsdescribed herein can derive audio information from any audio sourceoriginating from or owned by one or more individuals, any brand, andfrom any third party. In some embodiments of the invention, the audiosource can comprise recorded audio, live audio, or mixture of recordedand live audio. For example, in some embodiments, the live or recordedaudio can comprise audio produced by a singer, a vocalist, an actor, amember of the public, an instrument, and/or a band. In some embodiments,the live or recorded audio can comprise audio produced by an announcersuch as a disc jockey (hereinafter referred to as a “DJ”), a newsanchor, or other announcer.

In some further embodiments, the live or recorded audio can comprise atleast one synthetic or computer-generated sound. In some embodiments,the audio source can comprise a live or recorded bit-stream (e.g., suchas a streaming audio sent over the Internet). In some embodiments, theaudio source can comprise a dual or other multichannel audio sourcecomprising one or more mixed audio signals. In some embodiments of theinvention, the audio source can include an overlaid or embedded audio.For example, in some embodiments, the overlaid or embedded audio cancomprise a verbal announcement including, but not limited to, a DJannouncement, a news announcement, a weather announcement, or acommercial announcement. In some embodiments, the audio source caninclude overlaid or embedded data.

FIG. 1A depicts a process flow 100 of an audio blending system andmethod according to some embodiments of the invention, and coverscontent pre-processing (feature extraction and attribution) along withthe real-time processing where the content is sequenced. In someembodiments, the audio blending system and method can comprise apre-processing or “splogging” process or set of processes (shown as110). For example, in some embodiments, a content item entering thepre-processing function of the audio blending system and method can beprocessed using one or more digital signal processes including, but notlimited to, an initial measurement (hereinafter termed a “level 1process” and shown as 115), and a low-level measurement (hereinaftertermed a “level 2 process” shown as 120). In some embodiments, thepre-processing or “splogging” process can include at least one processor portion of a process performed by one or more humans. For example, insome embodiments, a human tagging process can be used (hereinaftertermed a “level 3 process” and shown as 125). In some embodiments, usingthe human tagging process, a human analyst or operator can visuallyand/or audibly characterize a portion of a content item and assign oneor more parameters to a content item or to a section of a content item.Embodiments of a tool used to implement the human tagging process areshown in FIGS. 14-24, and discussed further below. Any output from thepre-processing or “splogging” process can be sequenced substantially inreal time (shown as 130). Real time and near-real time sequencing andcontent creation are described in more detail below. The audio blendingsystem and method can perform a splogging of the features and generatestitch data (e.g., using the processes 115, 120) that includes amechanism of analyzing extracted feature files (e.g., such as ˜5 MB onaverage per song) and producing a record of stitch data, and the stitchdata can include derived features required to perform stitch action onan element (which as an example, the record size may be approximately 2k per element).

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can perform aningestion of content and feature extraction. In some embodiments, foreach file to be ingested, the following steps can be performed: 1.Copy/download/move file into system, 2. Transcode file to from itssource format to a common format, 3. Extract any metadata from the fileor shared data packet, 4. Perform feature extraction using a. A standardanalysis suite (see Essentia Basid dataset or Acoustic Brainzextractor), b. Extended loudness descriptors (lufs), c. Extended tonaland melodic descriptors (melodic pitch, chords and keys), d. Extendedbeat-based deltas (amplitude and harmonic deltas); and 5. Generate anacoustic fingerprint (optional; using Chromaprint) as a representationof the audio file (also known as perceptual hashing), 6. Create awaveform image (optional; using wave2png), 7. Store extracted files(audio features, fingerprint and waveform image) in storage, 8. Updatedatabase to reference extracted metadata and stored feature assets.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can performprocesses 115, 120 where for each file to be analyzed, steps cancomprise: 1. Collect the stored feature assets and metadata for theitem; 2. Identify the general mood of the content using featurescompared to profiled feature averages for content with a similar genre(including features for tempo, danceability, beats loudness, generalloudness, etc.); 3. Scan for inset and outset of content usingfine-grained amplitude data; 4. Identify if the content has a “hiddentrack” and truncate it (a hidden track is a bit of sound data after alarge period of silence); 5. Identify fade out; 6. Identify theclassified type of fade and if the fade is smooth or rhythmic based onduration and amplitude profiles; 7. Identify where a “blocking”prominent feature comes in at the beginning of the item (singing orprominent mid-range melodic element—like a saxophone); 8. Identify othermoments of musical importance or change prior to the blocking prominentfeature based on rhythmic, harmonic and amplitude-based features; 9.Classify the type of start for the content, if it fades in and if it isrhythmic or not; 10. Identify the specific mood of the start and end ofthe content compared to the general mood and driven by previouslydiscovered features; 11. Update “genre norms” to contain this content'sFeatures; and 12. Store in the computed feature database. In someembodiments, during a beat analysis, the beat position can be analyzedfor spectra between each beat and including amplitude and distributionof spectrum between each beat. In some embodiments, the melody analysiscan include a frame by frame analysis of melody with a confidence levelanalysis applied that can be used to identify a location to place avoiceover. “Genre Norms” can be calculated based on groupings of thecontent that are relevant to the deploying partner. They can beorganized around genre or other groupings. The content in that groupingcan be used to gain an understanding for the norm for the values of thegenre that can be used for feature extraction (via machine and humanlistening, and subsequent analysis). This method can allow anunderstanding of how far outside of a collections norm a piece ofcontent falls. For example, a “wild and crazy” classical piece willdiffer greatly from a “wild and crazy” punk rock anthem. In context,they will both be on extremes, but compared together and they aredifferent, and this technique normalizes for these differences inperceptive scales.

Some embodiments include a “fusion” of level 3 splogged features withprocesses 115, 120 features and generation of new stitch data. Forexample, some embodiments include data fusion where for each file to befused, a series of process steps include: 1. Data from processes 115,120 (and keep the stored feature analysis data around); 2. Read in thelevel 3 process 125 splogged data; 3. Merge the two datasets with apriority on level 3 process 125 features; 4. Compute new range datasetsbased on level 3 process 125 ranges; and 5. Store in the computedfeature database.

FIG. 1B illustrates a system overview 175 of the audio blending systemand method in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments, any of the joining or blending processes described hereincan be accomplished using the system illustrated in FIG. 29. In someembodiments, the audio blending system and method can build or process alibrary of elements 180 within a library database 186 that can be withinthe content pool for use with sequencing 182 a and mixing 182 bprocesses. The sequencing 182 a can take into account all the elementsof a constructed sequence, and using the content and order, stitchingprocesses 184 can be used with any of the library content built by theaudio blending system and method.

In some embodiments, the audio source can include an audio file formatthat can comprise an uncompressed audio format. In other embodiments,audio file format can comprise a compressed audio format. In someembodiments, the compressed file format can be a lossless compressedfile format. In other embodiments, the compressed file format can be alossy compressed file format. In some embodiments, the audio source cancomprise an audio content element stored as an audio coding formatcharacterized by a file extension. For example, in some embodiments, theaudio content element can be stored as an MPEG layer III audio formatand can comprise a digital file with a file extension of .mp3. In somefurther embodiments, the audio content element can be stored as an audiocoding format characterized by a file extension including, but notlimited to, “.3gp”, “.act”, “.aiff”, “.aac”, “.amr”, “.ape”, “.au”,“.awb”, “.dct”, “.dss”, “dvf”, “.flac”, “.gsm”, “.iklax”, “.ivs”,“.ivs”, “.m4a”, “.m4p”, “.mmf”, “.mpc”, “.msv”, “.ogg” “.oga” “.opus”“.ra” “.rm” “.raw” “.sln”, “.tta”, “.vcx”, “.wav”, “.wma”, “.wv”, or“.webm”.

In some further embodiments of the invention, the audio source cancomprise an audio content element stored within a video coding formatcharacterized by one or more codecs including, but not limited to,“libtheora”, “Dirac”, “x264”, “Xvid”, “FFmeg”, “FFavs”, “Blackbird”,“DivX”, “3ivx”, “Nero Digital”, “ProRes 422”, “ProRes 4444”, “SorensonVideo”, “Sorenson Spark”, “VP3”, “VP4”, “VP5”, “VP6”, “VP7”, “VP8”,“VP9”, “DNxHD”, “Cinema Craft Encoder SP2”, “TMGEnc”, “Windows MediaEncoder”, “Cinepak”, “Indeo Video”, “TrueMotion S”, “RealVideo”,“HffyLuv”, “Lagarith”, “MainConcept”, “Elecard”, and “Codec”.

In some embodiments of the invention, a content item derived from any ofthe sources described herein can include one or more gaps or periods ofsilence or near-silence where the sound level may be about zero dB orany other sound level which is largely undetectable by humans withoutsignificant hearing damage. Using one or more of the methods describedherein, gaps can be identified and removed, reduced, and/or replacedwith other audio content. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates applicationand use of an audio blending system and method for a content item 200illustrating gaps between items in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention. In some embodiments, a user can use the audio blendingsystem and method to analyze at least a portion of a content item 200and determine the existence of one or more one or more gaps or periodsof silence or near-silence (shown as 245 between a first segment 215 anda second segment 230 of the content item 200). In some embodiments, auser can use the audio blending system and method to remove, infill, orplay audio during the identified gaps. In some further embodiments, auser can use the audio blending system and method to determine thelocation of one or more gaps or periods of silence or near-silence, andprocess a transition from about the beginning of the gap to at leastpartially through the gap. In some embodiments, the transition cancomprise one or more portions of content from either side of the gap, ora portion of another content item such as a song or announcement asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the content item portion can beanalyzed using a level 1 process and/or a level 2 process describedearlier with respect to FIG. 1. In some further embodiments, the contentitem portion can be analyzed using a level 3 process. In someembodiments, of any pool of content (e.g., comprising 12 million audiofiles), 80-90% can be analyzed using a level 1 and/or a level 2 process,and 10-20% can be analyzed using a level 3 process. In some embodiments,a manual or auto set start and end points around dead-space (gap) can bedefined. Any of the methods for transitions described herein can be usedbased on one or more audio features of content (e.g., such as the firstsegment 215 and a second segment 230 of the content item 200).Furthermore, any of the methods described herein can be varied based oneor more audio features of content (e.g., such as the first segment 215and a second segment 230 of the content item 200). As such, any of themethods for transitions described herein should be considered asnon-limiting embodiments.

In some embodiments of the invention, audio content can be transcoded toan audio file format such as a .WAV file format. For example, FIG. 3illustrates a source track analysis and coding 300 in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, a productioncontent creation server, system and method can perform an analysis ofthe audio file format (e.g., such as by using level 1, level 2, and/or alevel 3 process). In some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can perform an analysis 315 using a sourcerecording transcoded to a common format (e.g., such as a .WAV format310), and output a series of data objects 325 (e.g., such as JSON data)which can be stored in a database 320 for later use and/or analysis. Inthis instance, the original source file 305 does not have to bere-analyzed each time the audio content is used for production contentcreation and/or playback. In some further embodiments of the invention,a source recording 305 can be transcoded to a .WAV file format with anacoustic fingerprint. In some embodiments, a HASH can be applied on thesource (e.g., such as MD5, SHA1, 512), and an acoustic fingerprint addedto the file as processed by the production content creation server,system and method. In some embodiments, audio files includingfingerprints can enable the audio content system and method to use andreuse audio content without the need for reprocessing. In someembodiments, acoustic fingerprints can enable audio contentidentification using acoustic markers. Distinguishable from watermarks,such fingerprints can be derived from actual audio content and cansurvive some conventional destructive actions such as stereo to monauralconversion, lower bit rates, and the like. In one non-limiting example,one or more audio files from a compact disk or other digital format canbe analyzed using at least one of the methods of the audio system andmethod (e.g., such as a level 1, level 2, and/or a level 3) and storedfor playback or use by the audio system and method without audioanalysis reprocessing. In this example, an identical song from anothersource (e.g., such as from an Apple iTunes® download) recorded as a FLACdigital file will have a different HASH than the .WAV file; however thefingerprint will be the same, and there is no need to reprocess. In someembodiments, the audio features can be used to align any temporaldifferences between the identically identified acoustically hashedfiles. iTunes® is registered trademark of Apple Inc.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod can perform an analysis of the audio file format using a level 1process, a level 2 process, and a level 3 process. Some embodimentsinclude a comparison between the outputs of one or more processes and asubsequent revalidation. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exampleembodiment of a content item processing method 400 where audio analysisof level 1 (405) and level 2 (410) processes can be compared andre-validated using a level 3 (415) process. Further, in someembodiments, an output from a level 3 (415) analysis can includeparameters that are analyzed and/or reused by level 1 and/or level 2processes. In some embodiments, this process can be used to skip a level3 (415) analysis. For example, an audio analysis of level 1 (405) andlevel 2 (410) processes can be compared and re-validated throughcomparison process 430 using a level 3 (415) processes. In some furtherembodiments, data 420 from a level 3 analysis can include informationthat can be reused in a level 1 (405) and/or level 2 (410) analysis.

In some embodiments, the level 1 data can comprise a JSON file generatedby a third-party. For example, some embodiments include one or more JSONfiles comprising full file high level descriptors downloaded fromAcousticBrainz (https:/acousticbrainz.org). The data can comprise setsof averaged analysis data across the entire audio file. TheAcousticBrainz project includes crowd source acoustic information anddescribes the acoustic characteristics of music and includes low-levelspectral information and information for genres, moods, keys, scales,etc. In some other embodiments, the JSON data can be downloaded fromother third-parties including Echonest.com (the.Echonest.com). In someembodiments, the level 2 (410) analysis can comprise a detailed analysisbeat by beat and/or millisecond of track verses millisecond of trackincluding LUFS analysis with an overall loudness and a moment by momentview, a beat analysis, melody analysis, fade-in and fade-out analysis,harmonic analysis with harmonic progression and chord structure.

FIG. 5 represents a melody identification of the content item 600 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments,the audio blending system and method can identify one or more melodies605 from at least a portion of a content item. In some furtherembodiments, the audio blending system and method can perform abeat-frame analysis using at least a portion of an audio file. In someembodiments, beats or other position identifiers in audio spectra can betagged or marked based on a frame number. In other embodiments, theposition identifiers can be based on time. In other embodiments,position identifiers can be based on sections or segments of the audio,or other position markers that enable the audio to be divided intomeasurable intervals. For example, FIG. 6 represents a beat frameidentification 650 of the content item 600 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention, and shows beat frames 610 and melodiesidentified as discussed for FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can perform alevel of loudness analysis of a portion of an audio file. For example,in some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can perform alevel of loudness analysis of a portion of an audio file by measuring aloudness intensity using a unit of measurement unit loudness full scale(hereinafter “LUFS”) analysis of a portion of an audio file. The levelof loudness in LUFS can be expressed in the value of an actual peak indB (decibel). For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a method of analyzing aportion of a content item 700 including LUFS analysis in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can perform a LUFS analysis across one ormore beat frames 705 of the content item 700. For example, someembodiments can include a LUFS analysis comparing beat frame 715 to beatframe 725. In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method canperform a level of loudness analysis delta between beat frames (e.g.,between beat frames 715, 725). In some further embodiments, the LUFSanalysis of one or more frames of the audio file can be characterized bythe audio blending system and method by identifying and compressing thespectra of the audio file into frequencies by frequency (e.g., from alow to high frequency range). In some embodiments of the invention, theaudio blending system and method can analyze or compare the LUFS of oneor more frames of the audio file.

In some embodiments, a portion of an audio file can comprise an analysisby spectrum, amplitude and melody. In some embodiments, using thisanalysis, the audio blending system and method can determine opportunemoments to blend other audio across one or more frames of any portion ofthe audio file following a characterization that can include analysis byspectrum, amplitude, melody, and/or LUFS. For example, in someembodiments, using the earlier described methods of analyzing a portionof an audio file, the audio blending system and method can blend one ormore audio files that can comprise an announcer and/or another contentitem (e.g., such as a song) audio file. In some further embodiments,based on a LUFS analysis, a volume number can be extracted to set aspecific transition based on the volume of an announcer or anothercontent item. Further, some embodiments include a method of analyzing aportion of a content item and automatically adjusting the LUFS of atleast a portion of a first content item and/or adjusting the LUFS of atleast a portion of a second content item to achieve a desirable blendingof portions of the two content items where the amplitudes are about thesame.

In some embodiments, based on a LUFS analysis, a volume number can beextracted to set a transition based on the volume of an announcer and acontent item. For example, in some embodiments, the audio blendingsystem and method can automatically adjust the LUFS of at least aportion of a song or the announcer to achieve a desirable blending ofportions of the song with the announcer. For example, based on ananalysis of the song, if the target cuepoint in a song is −6 dB, and theLUFS of an announcer segment is −18 dB, the audio blending system andmethod can perform a multiplication to reach or approach a target LUFSvalue for blending of the song and the announcer.

Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, for any given content item,the audio blending system and method can implement a beat analysisengine for a rhythmic beat analysis. For example, two types of analysiscan be applied to the defined blocks, and individual volume measures foreach period can be measured, where deltas and periodic shaping deltascan be identified, and differences between successive frames/groups offrames can be identified. Further, the audio blending system and methodcan implement a frequency analysis engine for the analyzing a simplifiedfrequency spectrum 800 and for comparing deltas 810 between the periods805. For example, in some embodiments, the LUFS and frequency data canbe quantified within a period or multiple periodics 825 and used toanalyze for opportunities for joining or blending. For example, in someembodiments, the LUFS deltas of the final two periods can be summed andcompressed 830 to be used to identify an out or fade out of the contentitem. Similarly, this analysis can be used to identify LUFS stair-stepsto enable the system to identify an in or fade-in of the content item.In some further embodiments, the audio blending system and method canimplement a beat analysis engine for a rhythmic beat analysis withmelody analysis. For example, two types of analysis can be applied tothe defined blocks, and individual volume measures for each period canbe measured, where deltas and periodic shaping deltas can be identified.In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can implementa frequency analysis engine for the analyzing a simplified frequencyspectrum and for comparing deltas between the periods, and can furtheranalyze melody within and across the periods. In some embodiments, themelody analysis can identify melodic patterns, and can identify wherethe melody is initiated. In some embodiments, the melodic analysis canbe used to identify where the vocalist starts within a content item. Insome embodiments, the process can then position hard posts for use infuture joining and blending processes. In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can generate a plurality of both hard andsoft points, and can prioritize based on the prominent features whichare an amalgam of melody and rhythmic and harmonic contrasts, which isused to prioritize and order them. In some embodiments, the system alsoemploys fade identification algorithms that augment the stair stepapproach. In some embodiments. these can be used to help identify in andout characteristics, as well as moments of dynamic change (for our“posts”).

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod can include an adjustable level of confidence for overlay ormixing of one or more audio files. In some embodiments, confidence isdriven by the specifics of the analyzed features in their concordances.For example, in some embodiments, a toggle or level selection can beused for content item analysis. Further, some embodiments include aselection for content item analysis in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention, where each of the level 1, level 2, and level 3processes can use or be controlled by one or more attributes.

Some embodiments of the invention enable the audio blending system andmethod to dynamically align one or more versions of an audio file suchas a song. For example, some embodiments include dynamic alignmentmethods of content item analysis where if the audio blending system andmethod identifies two content items where one song includes a one secondoffset, the audio blending system and method can identify the offset andtemporarily or permanently remove the offset from the file. In onenon-limiting example, with two versions of the same song and with asubstantially identical fingerprint, with an alignment mismatch of onesecond, the audio blending system and method can dynamically align theaudio files by identifying and correcting the misalignment.

As described earlier, in some embodiments, a level 3 process (humantagging process) can be used to characterize a portion of a content itemand assign one or more parameters to the content item or to a section ofthe content item. In some embodiments of the invention, when there isany gap between two content items, and/or if two content items are to bejoined or blended, the audio blending system and method can makedecisions about joining the items. In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can review the contents to calculate adecision for how the content can be blended or joined. In someembodiments, a break or join can start with an analysis using one ormore pieces of specific information provided by the client user (such aspreferences). The information can comprise information comprising an“out” element (which element is being exited) and an “in” element (whichelement is being entered). Further, in some embodiments, theaccompanying information can include one or more client userpreferences. In some embodiments, the “in” and “out” can be the in andout of any audio item or element comprising information that be used, atleast in part to guide or direct the blending of the items. For example,in some embodiments, the audio item or element can include a song, anannouncement, a DJ announcement, a news announcement or break, a weatherannouncement, or a commercial announcement, or a combination thereof.For example, in one example embodiment, an audio segment could comprisean “out” element comprising a news announcement or break, and the “in”element could comprise a song or music item. In this instance, the audioblending system and method can analyze the information as describedabove to determine a joining or blending of the “in” element and the“out” element so that any joined or blending audio is preferred ordeemed audibly acceptable or desirable to a listener.

Some embodiments of the invention can include an audio blending systemand method that includes a tool for implementing the level 3 process asshown in FIGS. 9-19 and discussed further below. For example, FIG. 9illustrates a GUI interface 1000 of a level 3 content item analysissystem in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments of the invention, the GUI interface 1000 can display one ormore portions of a content item 1005 (displayed as a sound spectra). Insome embodiments, the GUI interface 1000 can include one or more “SongIn” parameters and one or more “Song out” parameters (selectableparameters 1010). Further, in some embodiments, the GUI interface 1000can also include post assignments including “soft post” 1020, “hardpost” 1030, and “end post” 1040 assignment options. In some embodimentsof the invention, the “Song In” 1010 options can include “Song in type”,“Song in mood”, and “Song in character” options. Further, in someembodiments, the “Song out” options can include “Song out Type”, “SongOut Mood”, and “Song out Character”.

In some embodiments of the invention, based at least in part on anaudible analysis of the audio and/or a visual analysis of the spectra ofthe audio visual analysis, an operator can assign one or more parametersto one or more frames of the content item portion (or the whole contentitem). For example, FIG. 10 includes an example GUI interface 1100 witha display one or more portions of a content item 1105, and in thisnon-limiting embodiments, illustrates a song in type selection in a GUIinterface of a level 3 content item analysis system in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the user canselect from a drop-down menu 1107 to set a song in type. In someembodiments, the options in the drop-down menu 1107 can comprise a coldand/or fade option. Further, FIG. 11 (showing GUI interface 1200 with adisplay of one or more portions of a content item 1205) and FIG. 12(showing GUI interface 1300, displaying one or more portions of acontent item 1305) illustrate a song in mood selection of a level 3content item analysis system in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. In some embodiments, the GUI interface can include a song inmood selection 1207 with a scale of 1-10, and optionally including, butnot limited to, “dirge”, “very calm”, “mellow”, “waking up”, “medium”,“uptempo”, “moving”, “high energy”, “very high energy”, and “bouncingoff the walls”. Further, FIG. 13 illustrates a song in character in aGUI interface 1400 of a level 3 content item analysis system inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodimentsof the invention, the operator can use the GUI interface 1400(displaying one or more portions of a content item 1405) to select asong in character parameter such as “Rhythmic” and/or “Smooth” (shown asdrop-down menu 1407). In some embodiments, the mood can be defined on a1-10 scale with helper descriptors that work to normalize the valuesacross individuals providing the features. Other scales descriptors canbe used including other numbers or letters that provide differentiationand/or scale.

In some embodiments, the overall mood of the content item can beassigned. For example, FIG. 14 (GUI interface 1500 displaying one ormore portions of a content item 1505) and FIG. 15 (GUI interface 1600displaying one or more portions of a content item 1605) illustrate anoverall mood selection of a level 3 content item analysis system inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments,the operator can select from a drop-down menu 1507 comprising overallmood assignments including, but not limited to, “dirge”, “very calm”,“mellow”, “waking up”, “medium”, “uptempo”, “moving”, “high energy”,“very high energy”, and “bouncing off the walls”. For example, FIG. 14shows a pre-selection of “moving”, and FIG. 15 shows a pre-selection of“uptempo”. FIG. 16 illustrates hard and soft post selections of acontent item portion in a GUI interface 1700 (displaying one or moreportions of a content item 1705) of a level 3 content item analysissystem in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments, hard and soft post assignments can be adjusted by theoperator based at least on part on audio and/or visual characteristicsof the content item.

FIG. 17 illustrates a song out mood selection in a GUI interface 1800(displaying one or more portions of a content item 1805) of a level 3content item analysis system in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. In some embodiments, similar to previously describedembodiments, an operator can select and assign a song out mood using adrop-down menu 1807 including, but not limited to, “dirge”, “very calm”,“mellow”, “waking up”, “medium”, “uptempo”, “moving”, “high energy”,“very high energy”, and “bouncing off the walls”.

FIG. 18 illustrates a song out type in a GUI interface 1900 (displayingone or more portions of a content item 1905) of a level 3 content itemanalysis system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Insome embodiments, an operator can select and assign a song out typeusing a drop-down menu 1907 including, but not limited to, “cold”,“coldfade”, and “fade”. Further, FIG. 19A illustrates a song outcharacter selection in a GUI interface 2000 (displaying one or moreportions of a content item 2005) of a level 3 content item analysissystem in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments, an operator can select and assign a song out characterusing a drop-down menu 2007 including, but not limited to, “Rhythmic”and “Smooth”.

FIG. 19B illustrates a GUI interface 2300 (displaying one or moreportions of a content item 2305) of a level 3 content item analysissystem in accordance with some further embodiments of the invention.Some embodiments include in element menu 2310 and associated assignmentselections “Song in Type” 2312, “Song in Mood” 2314, “Song in Character”2316, “Song in Fade” 2318, and “Song in Breath” 2319. Further, someembodiments include a “BlockPost” menu 2320, “SoftPost” menu 2322,“HardPost” menu 2324, “TailPost” menu 2328, and an overall moodselection 2326. Some embodiments include an “EndPost” menu andassociated assignment selections “Song out Type” 2332, “Song out Mood”2334, “Song out Character” 2336, “Song out Fade” 2338, and “Song outBreath” 2339, and an “Out” menu 2340. In some embodiments, the “Song InFade” 2318 can force a short, medium or long fade at the in point (usedto start songs later and have them skillfully fade in at the in point).In some further embodiments, the “Song In Breath” 2319 can force a gapbefore this song of short, medium and long amounts, which can be used tohelp thoughtfully set as song apart if it is appropriate to thematerial. Some other embodiments include a “Block Post” 2320 that cancomprise a time in the front of the song where, before it, no overlaysare allowed (e.g., creating a scenario where the song will play for ashort period, and then an announcer overlay can be triggered). Someembodiments include a “Soft Post Type” 2322 omitted due to the previoussetting being added. Some embodiments include a “Tail Post” 2328comprising a point in the song at the end where, after which, it wouldbe acceptable to overlay an announcer. Some embodiments include an “EndPost” 2330 comprising the point at which to stop playing the audio. Somefurther embodiments include “Song Out Fade” 2338 that can force a short,medium or long fade at the out point (used to end songs earlier and havethem skillfully fade in at the out point). Other embodiments include a“Song Out Breath” 2339 that can be used to force a gap after this songof short, medium and long amounts. In some embodiments, this can be usedto help thoughtfully set as song apart if it is appropriate to thematerial (e.g., to take a moment after Heart's cover of stairway toheaven before starting the next item).

In some embodiments, there can be one or more factors that influencescheduling decision making by the audio blending system and method. Insome embodiments, these factors can be accessed by one or moredatabases. In some embodiments, a factor used to influence, calculate oradjust scheduling decision making by the audio blending system andmethod can include the user's history, such as for example the user'spreviously played audio content and selections. In some embodiments, theuser's history can include the user's previous play history defining theuser's like or dislike for content that includes at least one break. Forexample, in some embodiments, a user's previous play history can includeplay time, content or preferences that demonstrate the user does nottolerate a significant number of news breaks, DJ announcer breaks,weather breaks, and so on. In some further embodiments, another factorcan be metadata about the content item (i.e., the L1, L2, L3information), the understanding of the content including human andmachine splog characteristics as described earlier. In some embodiments,the system and method can measure their behavior and use that to alterthe Formatics for their specific experience.

Further embodiments of the invention include factors comprising brandpreferences. For example, each brand can control blending of one or moreelements. For example, in some embodiments, a brand can provide apreference that includes a directive to include only a single breakwithin an hour where the audio content between the break can comprisestitched or blending content items. In another example embodiment, abrand can provide a preference that includes a directive to include aplurality of breaks within an hour where the audio content between thebreak can comprise stitched or blending content items inter-dispersedwith breaks every two, three, four, or more content items. In someembodiments, one or more brand content pools can be linked to the brandspreferences. For example, in some embodiments, a brand content pool cancomprise pieces of audio, music beds, sound effects (hereinafter“sweepers”), and other factors that are being combined that define asound that is the content pool including liners, sweepers, news,produced features, artist interviews, etc. In some embodiments, anynumber or combination of elements from the pool, that when used togetherto construct a stitch, can at least partially define the brand. Someembodiments include a preference controlling whether the system allowsannouncers to speak over the ends of songs.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method use amultistep process, where initially, an analysis of pieces of content ofthe elements that are being stitched is performed, and the analysis isco-mingled with user preferences and brand preferences as a templatethat is used to perform the stitch. For example, the template cancomprise a series of guidelines for one or more specific breaks, andinclude instructions for what can be scheduled in a future segment. Insome embodiments, from the template, a multi-pass scheduling isprocessed by selecting elements in a forward direction, and fromselected elements, a reverse process is used to sequence the elements.In some embodiments, this process can be used to determine if there is afit with available content (i.e., to pick elements to put in, and thenperform a reverse process to sequence). In some embodiments, the contentis picked and a meta content playlist has been created based at least inpart on factors such as user history, and the next step can comprisemoving backwards through the sequence to create blended list ofelements. In some embodiments, the content can include a flag to definea specific overlay or join. In some embodiments, the flag cannot beoverridden. In other embodiments, the audio blending system and methodcan override the flagged item. In some embodiments, the audio blendingsystem and method can then search for elements that are not available.In some embodiments, the process is “self-healing” on the fly (e.g.,substantially in real time) to get as close as possible to the templateeven if some intent has to be abandoned based on the original templateinstructions. For example, in some embodiments, a preference ordirective from a brand can include positioning and blend an interview ofa band or singer just prior to playing the band or singer's song. Ininstances where the audio blending system and method cannot find ordetermine the location of an interview for a selected song or band orother content from at least one of the brand content pools, the audioblending system and method can abandon the specific intent to blendingor join the interview for any specific song or band or other content. Inanother example embodiment, if a selected song or band is of a specifichigh energy, and the audio blending system and method cannot find anannouncer with a similarly matching energy level, the audio blendingsystem and method can automatically abandon the original intent. Forexample, if the original intent was for matching energies of anannouncer and a band or song, the audio blending system and method canabandon the intent and select a lower energy announcer.

Other embodiments can include automatic override of intent based on ananalysis of the content. For example, in some embodiments, a brandpreference can include placing an announcement at the beginning orpartway through a content item (e.g., such as a song). However, in someembodiments, based at least in part on the availability of the announcerelement, and/or an audio influencing characteristic of the announcementand/or song, the audio blending system and method can perform anoverride action. For example, the override action can includedetermining another location of the announcement, selecting a differentannouncement, selecting a different location to blend or join theannouncement, and/or selecting an alternative audio item or element suchas a sweeper. In some embodiments, the audio blending system and methodcan enable the user or brand to select or adjust the level of overrideor behavior. In some embodiments, other factors can be the actual voicebeing used and the messages that they are conveying in the announcement.In some embodiments, these can be linked to or excluded from specificcontent pairings in order to better serve the experience.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can use aweighted precision system to dial in the behavior of the system whenprocessing a template. For example, in some embodiments, a client useror brand can select a weighted precision factor to increase thelikelihood that the audio blending system and method will override auser or brand intent. In some embodiments, the audio blending system andmethod can use multiple factors including the user's history, themeta-data, and use, client, and/or brand preferences during theselection and scheduling.

In some embodiments, the behavior of the audio blending system andmethod can be directed by the audio characteristics of the “in” and the“out” portions of the elements. For example, FIG. 20 illustrates atransition determination between content items in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, a content item (e.g.,song) processing where the “out” song 2500 goes out “cold”, and the “in”song 2510 comprise a fade in, the audio blending system and method candetermine the gap 2525 that would be created by joining the twoelements, and can decide to place an item between the “out” song and the“in” or “fade” song (i.e., to replace gap 2525). In this instance, theaudio blending system and method can include a very high probability offixing the gap (e.g., >95% likelihood of being fixed).

Referring to FIG. 21 illustrating a transition determination betweencontent items (e.g., a song) in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention, if a song 2600 ends cold and a second song 2610 starts cold,there can be an increase in odds (such as 33% likelihood) of being fixed(e.g., to reduce or eliminate the gap 2625). In another exampleembodiment comprising a fade out and fade in example, if the fade outsong is rhythmic and the fade in song is rhythmic, they generally cannotoverlap, and the likelihood of the audio blending system and methodprocessing the blending of the fade out and fade in can increase.Similarly, other examples, where there is a large gap in mood there canbe a higher likelihood, or a mismatch of genre, or place in song wherethere is an area of a song that can accept a liner or talking. Further,where there is a large gap at beginning (and/or if there are preferencesfor placing interview), the audio blending system and method can assessthe best opportunities. For example, if there is a large gap in moodbetween content items, the likelihood of the audio blending system andmethod processing the blending of the two content items can increase. Inanother example embodiment, if a start portion of a start of a song canbe more easily blending with an announcement, the likelihood of theaudio blending system and method processing the blending of theannouncement with the start of the song can increase. In someembodiments, the audio blending system and method can include base odds,and specific odds, and specific directives, any one or combination ofwhich can be adjustable.

Some embodiments include timing, pool of content, and other factors thataffect selection such as mood, genre, etc. In some embodiments, withrespect to timing factors, the system can be instructed or biased tostagger starts. In some embodiments, the audio blending system andmethod can often hit items on beat markers (posts), and do actions onbeats. In some embodiments, the music bed and announcer can be staggeredto allow an item to get established. In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can be instructed or biased so that theending of the items can be substantially synchronized. For example, insome embodiments, the audio blending system and method can introduceabout a 0.25 microsecond delay so that a music bed and an announcer arenot started at the same time. In some embodiments, the actual delay timecan be specified by a user or brand and/or by a characteristic of theaudio content. In some embodiments, the delay time can be increased orreduced.

In some embodiments, combinations of mood and genre can interplay withrespect to which type of announcer and/or events for the break can bescheduled by the audio blending system and method. In some embodiments,the audio blending system and method can recognize the differencebetween genres and types of moods (such as high-energy jazz andhigh-energy rock) by a spectrum balancing process.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can beconfigured to recognize the instance of the smallest available item tomake decisions about how the items can be blended. In some embodiments,various factors or parameters of an item such as a quote, liner, orinterview segment can be analyzed and used to define blending, joining,or overlap behavior. For example, in some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can analyze and/or receive data for a quotebased on the quotes content (e.g., such as the use of certain words thatmay not may not be acceptable to play during a broadcast). In otherembodiments, the audio blending system and method can select orde-select (e.g., apply an override) based on the nature of the quote andthe current environment (e.g., such as understanding if the quoterelates to a specific public holiday and not to play the quote outsideof the holiday period). In some further embodiments, the audio blendingsystem and method can include overlay or join factors for defining thebehavior of the audio blending system and method when blending orjoining with another element. In some other embodiments, the audioblending system and method can include genre blocks defining whether theaudio blending system and method can or can't play an overlay based ongenre (e.g., in general the audio blending system and method can beconfigured so that a hip-hop quote won't be played over a country song).

Some embodiments include a separation metric that uses a damping andlogarithmic factors to increase in probability over time. For example,it would be generally undesirable to play the same content item back toback and/or to repeat a content item too frequently within a specifictime period. In some embodiments, the audio blending system and methodcan dampen or lower the probability a specific item (such as a song, orother audio item such as a news item, weather item, specific DJannouncement, etc.) is played during a specified or calculated period oftime since the item was last played. Using this method applied to aplurality of user or brand content, the audio blending system and methodcan essentially distribute content items through any period of time thatis substantially random, and/or appears to a listener (independent ofthe listeners continuous listening period) to be within periodicity orrepetition. In some embodiments, the audio blending system and methodcan apply a Simpsons index of diversity approach to understanding a poolof content and schedule a segment comprising a series of items thatappear diverse over time. In some embodiments, this can also apply tosound effect, music bed, tags for the announcer's content (message,specific words, theme, concept, etc.). Further, in some embodiments, itcan also work in reverse to ensure that there is a specific frequencyfor things (like branded messages or advertisements).

In some embodiments, content items can include voice over, musicalclips, sweepers, and other content items as described earlier. In aconventional production for radio, various combinations of these typesof items can be produced (as a pre-produced package). In the inventiondescribed herein, the audio blending system and method can use the sameor similar types of content items, and create a produced showsubstantially real time. For example, for any production produced by thesystem in real time, the system is loaded with all constituent elements(which can represent a plurality of elements). In some embodiments,substantially in real time, a decision engine component of the audioblending system and method can process decisions to combine variouselements (e.g., into a digital version of a pre-production show of theconventional art described above). In some embodiments, contentdelivered to a user can be processed using a mix engine on the user'sdevice or platform by pulling content and following customized content.In other embodiments, a server can build in real time that isrepresentative of a customized break for delivery to the user. Forexample, in some embodiments, music bed, sweep, voice-over, can beselected and pulled so that in real time, selections can be based on thecharacteristics and user driven preferences and/or brand preferences. Inthis instance, the engine can cascade priorities in real time to producea pre-produced package that is being combined by a mix engine or by aserver that builds the audio file in real time representative of thecustomized break as a single file. With regard to advantages ofapproaches, the mixed engine approach is low on server resources.However, the mixed engine approach requires a higher bandwidth. Theserver approach requires more server CPU cycles.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can breakapart existing elements of available content, label and make variablethe elements, and driving the construction of a break based onsurrounding elements and any use experiences and preferences andpreferences of the brand. In some embodiments, the audio blending systemand method can perform or process a join analysis by processing one ormore primary and overlay elements. For example, primary elements (whichcan includes sweepers), can comprise songs, music beds, block (such asinterviews with play). In some embodiments, sweepers can bridge betweenprimary and overlay elements. Overlay content can comprise principallyvoice content.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can includejoin analysis to define content between elements as generally definedearlier. In other embodiments, another type of join analysis can beperformed later in the process. For example, in some embodiments, theaudio blending system and method can determine whether sweepers areneeded and/or if “tamping” is needed (e.g., where “tamping” is definedas where the audio blending system and method can damp down the volumeof an end of a song or sweeper to accelerate exit). In some embodiments,the audio blending system and method can include an analysis of how theelement ends, how the next element starts, whether binding is needed(e.g., with special effects), and whether tamping of previous element isrequired to get a better match. In some embodiments, some analyzedcharacteristics include the rhythmic nature of the transition, and/orthe type of key transition (e.g., transitioning from a tri-tone to asemi-tone). In some embodiments, volume adjustment can include fades ofeither direction, either to an inaudible level (we called tamping) andthus ending or starting the content at a different time, or to adifferent audible level so that it can blend better with other content(known as “ducking”).

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can include atiming analysis. For example, in some embodiments, the system can extendor reduce distance between elements. In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can include an analysis to perform acharacterization of transition (whether smooth, attractive), and does itmaintain or manage energy (or mood). In some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can include the use of tempo, amplitude,and/or harmonic factors in the analysis to characterize the mood or amulti-variant mood over a period of time. In some other embodiments, theaudio blending system and method can include a sentiment analysis tocontrol blending of content items. For example, some embodiments caninclude an analysis of positive or negative words or emoticons to definea sentiment of a content item (e.g., song) or a portion of a song. Thisis a sentiment analysis on the content of the content (song lyrics,announcer message, news item, etc.) and can be used to drive blending(e.g., so as not to put a super-positive announcer over a super-negativepiece of content).

FIG. 22 illustrates an example break construction 2700 in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, moodconstraining parameters can be applied by the audio blending system andmethod. The example embodiment can include a break for blending betweenan “out” element 2710 (e.g., such as a first song) and an “in” element2715 (e.g., such as a second song). In some embodiments, the break canbe constructed by the audio blending system and method to comprise aselection of items including, but not limited to, a first sweepers item2720, a music bed 2730, an announcer item 2740, and a second sweepersitem 2750. In some embodiments, the first and second sweeper items 2720,2750 can be the same. In some further embodiments, the first and secondsweeper items 2720, 2750 can be different. In some embodiments, theenergy levels of the first and second content items 2710, 2715 boundingthe break can be about the same. In some other embodiments, the energylevels of the first and second content items 2710, 2715 can bedifferent. For example, in some embodiments, the first content item 2710can comprise a low energy, and the second content item 2715 can comprisea high energy. In some embodiments, in real time, the audio blendingsystem and method can apply a selection process that uses constrainingcriteria to select the items with different energy levels and arrangethe items to smoothly bridge the energy levels of the first and secondcontent items 2710, 2715. For example, for a first content item 2710with an energy level of 3, and a second content item 2715 with an energylevel of 7, a constructed break can be comprise a sweepers 2720 at alevel of 3-5, blending with a music bed 2730 of 4-6, and overlaid and/orblended with an announcer 2740 of a level of 5, and finally a secondsweepers 2750 with a level of 6-8.

In some other embodiments, the musical key of the first and secondcontent items 2710, 2715 bounding the break can be about the same. Insome other embodiments, the musical keys of the first and second contentitems 2710, 2715 can be different. For example, in some embodiments, thefirst song 2710 can comprise a “C” key, and the second content item 2715can comprise an “A flat major” key. In some embodiments, in real time,the audio blending system and method can apply a selection process usesconstraining criteria to select the items with different musical keysand arrange the items to smoothly bridge the musical keys of the firstand second content items 2710, 2715. In some embodiments, the systemincludes an understanding of harmonious relationships and transitionsand less harmonious relationships and makes decisions accordingly, (forexample: A minor+C major is more harmonious than C major and C# major,which is very dissonant.)

In some other embodiments, the rhythms of the first and second contentitems 2710, 2715 bounding the break can be about the same. In some otherembodiments, the rhythms of the first and second content items 2710,2715 can be different. In some embodiments, in real time, the audioblending system and method can apply a selection process usesconstraining criteria to select the items with different rhythms andarrange the items to smoothly bridge the rhythms of the first and secondcontent items 2710, 2715. Further, in some embodiments, the audioblending system and method can dynamically adjust tempo and pitch duringblending to align, match, and/or transition rhythms between items.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example break 2800 construction in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention and illustrates a tightening upbreak example, where adjustments can be made to shim or shimmy (adjust)positions of blendings to produce either tight or loose joints. In someembodiments, the actual adjustments can be at least partially based onthe genre and/or the first content item and/or the second content item.In some embodiments, best practice rules (e.g., parameters that candefine an optimal listening experience) can be coded into the model. Insome embodiments, they are adjustable. In some embodiments, the bestpractices are defined by the audio blending system and method based atleast in part on the user, the user's history, the brand, or acombination thereof. The example embodiment can include a break forblending between an out element (e.g., such as a first content item2805) and an in element (e.g., such as a second content item 2810). Insome embodiments, the break 2800 can be constructed by the audioblending system and method to comprise a selection of items including,but not limited to, a sweeper 2820, and an announcer item 2830. In someembodiments, the out transition of the first content item 2805 and intransition of the second content item 2810 bounding the break can beabout the same. In some other embodiments, the out transition of thefirst content item 2805 and in transition of the second content item2810 bounding the break can be different. For example, in someembodiments, the first content item 2805 can comprise a slow fade, andthe second content item 2810 can comprise a gap 2807 (e.g., such as afour second gap before a hard post). In some embodiments, in real time,the audio blending system and method can apply a selection process usesconstraining criteria to select the items and arrange the items tosmoothly bridge the fade out 2806 and in gap 2807. In some embodiments,the audio blending system and method can move the in gap 2807 (e.g., theopening of the next song) to shape and tighten the break and provide aconstructed break with an improved listening experience. In someembodiments, the level of shimming of the break items can be adjustable.In some embodiments, the shimming level can be defined by the brand.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example break construction 2900 in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, theamplitude (LUFS) in dB, levels of elements are measured, for overlays,and the audio blending system and method can include targets for overlayamplitude. For example, in some embodiments, the break can beconstructed by the audio blending system and method to comprise aselection of items including, but not limited to, sweepers 2920, musicbeds 2930, and an announcer item 2940. In some embodiments, the outtransition of the first content item 2905 and in transition of thesecond content item 2910 bounding the break can be about the same. Insome other embodiments, the out transition of the first content item2905 and in transition of the second content item 2910 bounding thebreak can be different.

In some embodiments, in real time, the audio blending system and methodcan apply a selection process uses constraining criteria to select theitems and arrange the items to smoothly bridge the two content items. Inembodiments, where the LUFS of the first content item 2905 and secondcontent item 2910 is different, the audio blending system and method canadjust volumes to get close to target for blending. In this example,embodiments, the audio blending system and method can includestair-steps across inner elements to transition from one LUFS of the outcontent item 2905 to the LUF of the in content item 2910.

In some embodiments, to schedule a transition, the audio blending systemand method, a transition request can comprise an out element, an inelement, and a collection of “Formatics”. The “Formatics” can containflags that specify pools of content to use for voiceover branding andcontent, allowance of voiceover branding, and allowance of extendedcontent (interviews, quotes, trivia, news, ads, etc.). In some otherembodiments, the other flags can set voiceover and content style (loose,tight, allow front overlay, allow tail overlay, etc.), force data-sourcefor transition (level 1, level 2, and/or level 3) trust percentage forcontent item overlays using splogged data. Further, the flags canspecify album protection, content and/or feature to include frequency,separation rules for content transition quality sensitivity, and gaplessgenres, etc. In some embodiments, the Formatics can override defaultvalues and behaviors, for example, to allow announcers to talk on theends of songs or other content.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method can select orprocess a pool of content that can be specified (specified by service,station, genre, etc.) to include, but not be limited to, voiceovers,music beds, sweepers, interviews, quotes, trivia features, listenercall-ins news, and/or ads etc.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod can define frequency and/or separation rules for contentcategories. For example, some embodiments can specify how frequent aparticular category of content should be included. Further, these rulescan refer to a class of content, like a voiceover, or be more specificand refer to a category of content within a class (e.g., a voiceoverthat include the phrase “ . . . simply the best music.” tags can alsoinclude other elements such as the name of the announcer, topic ofinterview, source of quote, etc.)

In some further embodiments, global rules can also be in effect thatapply to elements in aggregate. For example, a global rule can specify:“go at least 3 content items or twelve minutes (whichever is longer)between interjecting content between content items”. In someembodiments, this rule can also have a strength (on a scale of 0 to 100)to indicate how important it is that the rule be followed compared toother rules and compared to the “need” of a particular in/out pairing.

In some embodiments, element pairings can have an intrinsic transitionneed based upon the analyzed quality of an unaided transition. In someembodiments, the “transition quality sensitivity” from the formats abovecan refer to utilizing the analyzed metric to determine the propensityto “aid” a transition with additional content. This can work with globaland content/class rules for transitions in order to make decisions aboutwhen to step in and aid a particular transition with content.

In some embodiments, content can be tagged with one or more knownattributes that are used to identify these classes and categories. Forexample, in some embodiments, each category or class rule can specifyhow frequently to play this category and/or class of content, and whento schedule/play this category and/or class of content. Further, eachcategory or class rule can specify a minimum time to exhaust aparticular piece of content once played.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod can process a transition building sequence. In some embodiments,the transition setup and initial element selection can includedetermining the portion where to determine the primary elements to beused in the transition. In some embodiments, the audio blending systemand method can process a transition building sequence that includes: 1.gather information on in and out elements (genre, album, disc and track#, artist, fusion/meatware/robo data, etc.), and 2. gather informationbased on Formatics (lists of content that could be used for voiceover,music beds, sweepers, interviews, ads, etc.). This content can be mergedwith a user's play history in order to understand its eligibility forplay (based on separation rules in the Formatics). The sequence canfurther include the following steps: 3. determine the need to performgapless playback (for content that is sequential on the same album, forparticular genres of content or for content or for content thatprohibits overlays), and 4. determine the volume adjustment for the twotracks that are playing (the current track will already have had avolume adjustment). The sequence can further include step 5. if notgapless and the algorithm is given latitude to decide what it does forthis transition, perform some calculations based on factors to generatethe odds of creating a particular type of break. These focus on the inand out points of the two items and can include match between fadeprofiles, rhythmic nature of the transitioning items, mood differencebetween the items, genre distance between the items, key compatibilityof the two items, type and duration of overlay space on the incomingitem, what content is available, etc. Further, a further sequence caninclude step 6. based on the type of break (driven by Formatics and byalgorithmic analysis), filter and pick the content based on theconstruction of the break. For example, the announcer, the type ofmessage to use, and the specific read (matching energy and length). Thiscan include all elements being used in the break construction, and isnot limited to announcer, fixed production elements, news, weather, ads,interviews, trivia, etc. Some embodiments can design a transition forinteractive systems when the user hits the “next” button prior to theend of the previous content to create a more artful interactive skip.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod, a sequence building engine can process additional elements anddetermine the structure of the break for basic element sequencing. Someembodiments utilize look-ahead and look-behind techniques to evaluateboth sides of a break, and characterize the time used from alast-element perspective. This can enable overlay of content on top ofincoming and outgoing elements when there is space available, butwithout attempting to overlay too much content that may overstep thearea that is determined to be safe for overlay. In some embodiments ofthe invention, each item is added to a list that represents the sequenceof primary elements. This drives the next step in the process, i.e., theactual scheduling. Each item is only done if scheduling that particularelement in the break. In some embodiments, each item that composes thebreak is analyzed backwards and it is determined if it is placed on theincoming content item, a music bed or on the outgoing content item (allbased on Formatics).

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod, a sequence building engine can determine if any particularelements are being forced based on the juxtaposition of the two elements(e.g., if using a sweeper with voice over the top to bridge a gapbetween two items that don't support overlap). In one non-limitingsample sequence process, the a sequence building engine can determineplacement on top of the incoming content or in the front of that contentand add it to the sequence if scheduling an announcer. Further, thesequence building engine can determine placement on top of the incomingcontent or in front of that content and add it to the sequence ifscheduling a quote, or scheduling an interview.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod, a sequence building engine can process a sequence schedule. Insome embodiment, the sequence building engine can loop through eachelement in the ordering and employ logic to schedule that element withprecise timing. In some embodiments, additional glue elements (sweepers,etc.) in the phase can be used to aurally stitch the flow together, andcan be processed in any particular arrangement.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod, a sequence building engine can analyze two particular elementsand identify how they stitch together. In breaks with other addedelements such as music beds or produced elements, each transition pointcan be evaluated. The characteristics of two elements can drive thedecision process on how to perform a particular join. In someembodiments, the resultant parameters can be information on the need tofade out the outgoing item, and/or fade in the incoming item, and/orwhat pace should the fade be performed at, and/or do the need to injecta sweeper to bridge the transition, and if injecting the sweeper, whatis the shape, and so on. In some embodiments, elements can be“scheduled” at a particular timing based on a number of characteristicsof the audio. In some embodiments, overlaps are identified based oncompatible central keys, and/or rhythmic profiles, and/or fade in/outtypes, and/or tightly analyzed amplitude windows, and many morecriteria. In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blendingsystem and method, a sequence building engine can determine when itneeds to separate elements versus when it needs closely couple or joinelements. The extreme case of the latter includes scheduling a “gapless”transition, where the engine uses an understanding of thecharacteristics of that type of transition to overlap the two pieces ofcontent just enough so that there seems to be no audible gap between theitems at all.

In some embodiments, for each two elements, the audio blending systemand method can make decisions regarding timing and gaps in order tocreate an organic, artistically metered flow between elements. Otherdecisions can include the scheduling of force fade-outs of previouselements (especially in song to song transitions or music bed to songtransitions). In some embodiments, fades and ducking behavior areinserted in to the ordering as “control messages”. In addition,amplitudes of each individual element can be adjusted based on the needsof its position in the sequence.

In some embodiments, the scheduling order can include the outgoingcontent item added to the final playlist recipe. For example, in onenon-limiting example, for each item (based on its type) in the elementsequence order (from previous step), the following can be processed inorder (with each a numbered step as an if statement): 1. Do we need amusic bed? If so, evaluate the join and: (a). If required, select andschedule an appropriate sweeper (with the right shape and energy level),(b). Schedule the music bed; and 2. Determine if we need to schedule theincoming element for this break? If so, evaluate the join and: (a). Ifrequired, select and schedule an appropriate sweeper (with the rightshape and energy level), and (b). Schedule the incoming content item;and 3. Are we inserting an item that needs a formatted setup, like aninterview, then schedule the elements required. For example, aninterview requires the feature announcement followed by the artist'sname followed by the interview. These multiple items are scheduled insequence and added to the ordering, and can include step 4. Are wescheduling an announcer element? If so, place it in. In some otherembodiments, there can be more elements than the four listed above basedon the unique content requirements of a particular transition (likeplaying a commercial between two songs). The end result of this processis what is called a “recipe”- or a playlist of all of the elements andcontrol messages that make up a break. It is timed starting at a certainpoint in the outgoing element and governs behavior until the finalcontrol message that might occur after the incoming element has beenstarted.

In some embodiments of the invention, the audio blending system andmethod can process one or more types of transitions of content items.For example, in some embodiments, two types of transitions can include asong-to-song transition and a multi-element interview break typetransition. In one non-limiting example embodiment, an applicationprogramming interface (API) of the audio blending system and method canmake an outgoing item and an incoming item and orchestrate thetransition, returning a “Recipe Response” JSON document. This documentcan include a transition that is timed from a certain predefined pointin the outgoing item's playback (which is correlated into the “zero” ina transition timer). Each element in the transition sequence has aspecific time at which it is started, initial amplitude and subsequentcontrol messages that may affect its amplitude up or down later in thesequence. In some embodiments, the basic JSON response package caninclude two primary objects such as a details object and a sequenceobject. In some embodiments, the details object can include detailsabout the scheduled transition. In some embodiments, these details caninclude the type of transition that was scheduled (0=song to song;1=multi-element break; etc.) In some embodiments, these details caninclude a start time in seconds from the beginning of the outgoingcontent to normalize the sequence's timer to (considering that moment tobe “time zero” for the transition timer that is referenced by each itemin the sequence object below).

In some embodiments, these details can include a sequence object thatcontains a timed playlist of elements to be triggered or controlmessages to be enacted in order. There are a number of types of itemsthat break into two buckets including an item that triggers the playbackof an audio file and an item that signals a control over the volume of aplaying audio file. In some embodiments, each list item that indicatesthe playback of an audio file can include the time for the event to betriggered in seconds (relative to “zero time” as referenced in thedetails overview), and a shared GUID identifier for the content object.In some embodiments, the file can also include the type of the elementthat is being played. This can include (but is not limited to): song,sweeper, bed, announcer, interview, etc. In some embodiments, the filecan also include the duration of the element in seconds; this value doesnot take into account any perceived shortening that may be caused bylater control messages and is more a function of the file duration. Insome further embodiments, the file an include the adjustment to be madeto the given items volume; see “Notes On Volume Adjustments” below formore details on this value. In some further embodiments, the file caninclude a url of the audio element for items that are sourced from aserver or database audio repository of the audio blending system andmethod. In some embodiments, processed items that are control messagesprimarily target the adjustment of volume levels. In some embodiments,the control messages can include the time for the control event to betriggered in seconds (relative to “zero time” as referenced in thedetails overview). Some embodiments include a type that indicates thecontrol message by using the string “control”. Some embodiments includean action that comprises the type of control action to employ. Forexample, a single action type “fade” can refer to both increases anddecreases in an individual element's amplitude. Some further embodimentsinclude a duration value that indicates the time to execute the fadeoperation in seconds. Some further embodiments include an end_value—theend adjustment value for the target item's volume.

Some further embodiments include a target that comprises a zero-indexsequence index of the target object for the control message (as aninteger). In some embodiments, for volume adjustments, both theindividual elements in a sequence as well as the control messages thatfade in and out content alter the volume of audio elements in thesequence. In some embodiments, this alteration is done for a number offactors, primarily to manage the relative volumes of individual contentitems (e.g., for song to song transitions) and to appropriately levelany items that are overlade in multi-element transitions. In someembodiments of the invention, volume leveling can be calculated usingamplitude measurements based on a LUFS/LKFS scale (see ITU-R BS.1770,ITU-R BS.1770-2, ITU-R BS.1770-3, and EBU R128). In some embodiments, anend-state can adjust values for outgoing and incoming balance to thesespecifications. In some embodiments, this compensates for content withreduced dynamic range and increased perceived loudness to perform a“volume leveling” like effect. Some embodiments include volumeadjustments that are represented as linear multipliers where no decibel(dB) conversions are necessary as they are already performed by thetransition engine. In some embodiments, volume adjustments are performedrelative to any “headroom” that is carved out on the playback side,which is specific to the rendering device's playback architecture. Insome embodiments of the invention, volume adjustments primarily containvalues that are less than one (values that reduce the amplitude of theitem being played back from its original full volume.)

Some embodiments include instances where there will be a value greaterthan 1 for a volume adjust. In some embodiments, the way this is handleddepends on the capabilities of the playback mechanism and whether theyhave been introduced headroom into the soundstage. For example, in someembodiments, the audio blending system and method can increase thevolume of the entity up to the minimum of either a) the value indicatedby the multiplier or b) the maximum available headroom, whichever issmaller. In some embodiments, control messages that are type “fade”alter the amplitude of an item up or down over a timed duration. Theseoperations are relative to the current volume level and expect a lineartransition over the duration period to the “end_value” of the targeteditem.

FIG. 25 illustrates a computer system 3000 configured for operating andprocessing components of the audio blending system and method inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments,the computer system 3000 can process one or more software modules of thepreviously described audio blending system and method applications totransform unblended audio content to blended audio content and/ordisplay information related to the transformation of unblended audiocontent to blended audio content within a graphical user interface.Further, in some embodiments, the system framework of the audio blendingsystem and method shown in FIG. 1A can use the computer system 3000 toprocess one or more audio blending system and method applicationservices. The system framework can also manage the organization of dataand data flow between the audio blending system and method applicationservices, the front-end systems, and external (third party) computersystems.

As shown, the system 3000 can include at least one computing device,including one or more processors 3200. Some processors 3200 can includeprocessors 3200 residing in one or more conventional server platforms.The system 3000 can include a network interface 3500 a and anapplication interface 3500 b coupled to at least one processor 3200capable of running at least one operating system 3400. Further, thesystem 3000 can include a network interface 3500 a and an applicationinterface 3500 b coupled to at least one processors 3200 capable ofrunning one or more of the software modules (e.g., enterpriseapplications 3800). The software modules 3800 can include server-basedsoftware platform that can include audio blending software modulessuitable for hosting at least one user account and at least one clientaccount, as well as transferring data between one or more accounts.

With the above embodiments in mind, it should be understood that theinvention can employ various computer-implemented operations involvingaudio blending data stored in computer systems. Moreover, theabove-described databases and models throughout the audio blending canstore analytical models and other data on computer-readable storagemedia within the system 30 and on computer-readable storage mediacoupled to the system 3000. In addition, the above-describedapplications of the audio blending system can be stored oncomputer-readable storage media within the system 3000 and oncomputer-readable storage media coupled to the system 3000. Theseoperations are those requiring physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic signals, optical ormagneto-optical form capable of being stored, transferred, combined,compared and otherwise manipulated.

Some embodiments include the system 3000 comprising at least onecomputer readable medium 36 coupled to at least one data storage device3700 b, and/or at least one data source 3700 a, and/or at least oneinput/output device 3700 c. In some embodiments, the invention embodiedby the audio blending system can be embodied as computer readable codeon a computer readable medium 3600. The computer readable medium 3600can be any data storage device that can store data, which can thereafterbe read by a computer system (such as the system 3000). Examples of thecomputer readable medium 3600 can include hard drives, network attachedstorage (NAS), read-only memory, random-access memory, FLASH basedmemory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, other optical andnon-optical data storage devices, or any other physical or materialmedium which can be used to tangibly store the desired information ordata or instructions and which can be accessed by a computer orprocessor (including processors 3200).

In some embodiments of the invention, the computer readable medium 3600can also be distributed over a conventional computer network via thenetwork interface 3500 a so that the audio blending system embodied bythe computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributedfashion. For example, in some embodiments, one or more components of thesystem 3000 can be tethered to send and/or receive data through a localarea network (“LAN”) 3900 a. In some further embodiments, one or morecomponents of the system 3000 can be tethered to send or receive datathrough an internet 3900 b (e.g., a wireless internet). In someembodiments, at least one software application 3800 running on one ormore processors 3200 can be configured to be coupled for communicationover a network 3900 a, 3900 b. In some embodiments, one or morecomponents of the network 3900 a, 3900 b can include one or moreresources for data storage, including any other form of computerreadable media beyond the media 3600 for storing information andincluding any form of computer readable media for communicatinginformation from one electronic device to another electronic device.

In some embodiments, the network 3900 a, 3900 b can include wide areanetworks (“WAN”), direct connections (e.g., through a universal serialbus port) or other forms of computer-readable media 3600, or anycombination thereof. Further, in some embodiments, one or morecomponents of the network 3900 a, 3900 b can include a number of clientdevices which can be personal computers 4000 including for exampledesktop computers 4000 d, laptop computers 4000 a, 4000 e, digitalassistants and/or personal digital assistants (shown as 4000 c),cellular phones or mobile phones or smart phones (shown as 4000 b),pagers, digital tablets, internet appliances, and other processor-baseddevices. In general, a client device can be any type of external orinternal devices such as a mouse, a CD-ROM, DVD, a keyboard, a display,or other input or output devices 3700 c. In some embodiments, variousother forms of computer-readable media 3600 can transmit or carryinstructions to a computer 4000, including a router, private or publicnetwork, or other transmission device or channel, both wired andwireless. The software modules 3800 can be configured to send andreceive data from a database (e.g., from a computer readable medium 3600including data sources 3700 a and data storage 3700 b that can comprisea database), and data can be received by the software modules 3800 fromat least one other source. In some embodiments, at least one of thesoftware modules 3800 can be configured within the system to output datato at least one user 3100 via at least one digital display (e.g., to acomputer 4000 comprising a digital display). In some embodiments, theuser 3100 can comprise a customer or a sales associate. In someembodiments, the computer 4000 can be embodied by an in-carentertainment system, and video playback devices (e.g., such asAppleTV®). AppleTV® a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

In some embodiments, the system 3000 as described can enable one or moreusers 3100 to receive, analyze, input, modify, create and send data toand from the system 3000, including to and from one or more enterpriseapplications 3800 running on the system 3000. Some embodiments includeat least one user 3100 coupled to a computer 4000 accessing one or moremodules of the audio blending system including at least one enterpriseapplication 3800 via a stationary I/O device 3700 c through a LAN 3900a. In some other embodiments, the system 3000 can enable at least oneuser 3100 (through computer 4000) accessing enterprise applications 3800via a stationary or mobile I/O device 3700 c through an internet 3900 a.

Some of the embodiments described herein include a production engine forcreating customized and contextualized content for a produced element oraudio or other production. In some embodiments, a production contentcreation server, system and method can select and join a plurality ofcontent elements to create the produced element. In some embodiments,produced elements from the production engine can be applied to a varietyof broadcast types including, but not limited to, a show or feature, acommercial, a newsbreak, an announcer or DJ break, an interview, and/ora documentary. Some embodiments of the invention include a productioncontent creation server, system and method capable of selecting andcharacterizing audio content to create a produced element substantiallyin real time. The production engine can enable all parts of a broadcastto be variable. In some embodiments, produced elements can be createdusing a production engine for a produced element (e.g., such as anewsbreak) that can include intros, and/or outros, and/or auto-generatedtext, and/or multiple synthesized voice that connects with audioactuality.

In some embodiments, produced content or elements can include a contentelement such as one or more songs that have been assembled using any oneof the methods described earlier with respect to the audio blendingsystem and method. In some embodiments, the produced content or producedelement can be implemented as a standalone broadcast, or within aproduced element that includes content element such as one or more songsthat have been assembled using any conventional assembly methods. Forexample, in some embodiments, the created produced element can beinserted into a broadcast at any time. In some further embodiments, thecreated produced element can be faded or blended into a broadcast at anytime. In some embodiments, the insertion, fading or blending can betimed based on the broadcast content, the produced element content, userpreferences or behaviors, and/or brand preferences.

In some embodiments of the invention, the production content creationserver, system and method can include at least one machine process suchas a process performed by a computer system or specially configuredserver (referred to herein as a “computer system”) executing one or moresoftware modules of the production content creation server, system andmethod. In some embodiments, the production content creation server,system and method can also include one or more analytical methodsperformed by a human analyst. In some embodiments of the invention, theproduction content creation server, system and method can analyze one ormore audio content elements using at least one computer system basedmethod and at least one human analyst or operator. In some embodimentsof the invention, a production engine operating and processingcomponents of the audio blending system and method using the computersystem 3000 configured can ensure that a content item (e.g., such as anewsbreak or news feature) is played with specific content (e.g., suchas music) for a broadcast station (such as a rock station). In otherwords, the system can produce content that is contextualized (e.g.analyzed and assembled in ways that ensure the content is consistentwith the mood or other characteristics of other content.) Moreover, insome embodiments, the creation of produced elements can be personalized(e.g., can be personalized by a user and/or can be modified based on theuser behavior). In some embodiments, the one or more characteristics ofthe audio content can be based at least in part on one or more of theparameters of the content, a listener's preferences, a listener'sbehavior, branding preferences, produced element, style or genre. Insome embodiments, the system can be based on demographic of the user,clicking or selection experience (behaviors) with the interface, and/orbrowsing behaviors. In some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can include an interface that can enableinteraction to access or initiate a newsbreak, skip a news element of anewsbreak, control content of the newsbreak. In some embodiments of theinvention, the content can be varied based on prior play history.

In some embodiments, in addition to any content elements such as one ormore announcements and/or text-to-speech content, the content element orsegment can include voice overs (including announcers), news items,text-to-speech items, music, song, or vocalist clips, sweepers, or othercontent items including voice and/or music, or other types of sounds. Ina conventional production for radio, various combinations of these typesof items can be produced (as a pre-produced package). In the inventiondescribed herein, the production content creation server, system andmethod can use the same or similar types of content items, and cancreate a produced show in real time or substantially real time. Forexample, for any production generated by the production content creationserver, system and method in real time, the production content creationserver, system and method can be loaded with all constituent contentelements (which can represent a plurality of content elements). In someembodiments, substantially or completely in real time, a decision enginecomponent (i.e., the production engine) of the production contentcreation server, system and method can process decisions to combinevarious elements (e.g., into a digital version of a pre-production showof the conventional art described above). In some embodiments, variouslevels of analyses can be performed in near real time using look-aheadtechniques or delays, eliminating the need for pre-analysis of contentelements.

In some embodiments, using a news element or newsbreak creation as anon-limiting example, where the end goal is the creation of a newsfeature, starter elements can be one or more rss feeds. In someembodiments, the rss feeds can be text and audio actuality, where thetext describes the audio actuality. In one non-limiting exampleembodiment, the text can be manipulated to create intros and outros, orif there is no audio actuality, and there is one block of text, thenthere is a news element. Following this, the production content creationserver, system and method can download and analyze the audio actuality,and re-encode and manipulate the information using a process called“dynamic compression”. Dynamic impression can allow a field recordedinterview or sound to have a greater overall loudness by reducing thedifference between the loud and soft portions of the audio segment.Further, in some embodiments, the production engine of the contentcreation server, system and method can process noise reduction,equalization adjustment, and pitch modification of the produced element.In some embodiments, it can be any type of data feed; textual or even,in some versions, audio. Some embodiments include using speech to textto convert an audio or video news feed into text that is then translatedand then re-rendered using text to speech technology.

In some embodiments, the production engine of the content creationserver, system and method can process files comprising text information.In some embodiments, text can be passed through a text to speech processto create audio files that are varied based on voice and language. Theresulting audio file can then be passed through an analysis andmodification to create a broadcast-ready file. The text can also betranslated to other languages as desired. For example, in someembodiments, the text portion can be analyzed using a translator toproduce one or more alternative language versions.

In some embodiments, the production content creation server, system andmethod can create a library of content or news features related to newscontent. The user can decide on the topics, the format of the sound, andthe content can depend on the branding or on user preferences. In someembodiments, the new features can be used with or between content from alibrary of announcers that can perform branding and/or music beds ofvarious lengths that can have areas marked with LUFS. In someembodiments, the production content creation server, system and methodcan create real-time dynamic news features using these methods. In someembodiments, the production content creation server, system and methodcan select content based on user preference and/or past preference orlistening behavior, target duration, and can assemble music beds,announcer introductions, intros and outros, news feature, and adjustgaps and style of the news content based on the content (fast, slow,laid-back, etc.) The production content creation server, system andmethod can use synthesized voice or human recorded sound. In someembodiments, the feature can be generated based specifically on where itis being used, brand, context of current music theme or genre, and thelistener. For a commercial or advertising element example, theproduction content creation server, system and method can vary voices,music, sweepers, etc. In some further embodiments, content tags candrive the selection of accompanying and supporting content. For example,content tagged as “breaking” can cause a different set of supportingelements to be used.

Some embodiments of the invention can provide produced elements forcutting-in and cutting-out of live broadcast feeds as defined by theproduction content creation server, system and method, and/or thelistener, and/or the listener's preferences and/or interactions with thesystem and/or the brand, and/or based on the parameters of the broadcastcontent, including, but not limited to genre, mood, temp, beat, etc. Insome embodiments of the invention, the audio source can include overlaidor embedded audio files. For example, in some embodiments, the overlaidor embedded audio can comprise a verbal announcement including, but notlimited to, a DJ announcement, a news announcement, a weatherannouncement, or a commercial announcement. In some embodiments, otheroverlaid or embedded data can be used.

In some embodiments of the invention, the production content creationserver, system and method includes a newsreader engine that connects tonews sources, renders audio, processes actualities, robosplog files, andregisters the details in a database. Further, in some embodiments of theinvention, the production content creation server, system and methodincludes a newsmaker engine that creates and crafts a recipe for a newsbreak that is rendered for a user. First, in reference to the newsreaderengine, for each news feed that the newsreader is coupled to, newsreaderreads the metadata for each news article, identifying the headline, textof the article, byline, categories and keywords, any related audioactualities, and any related image assets. In some embodiments, theproduction content creation server, system and method can download anyaudio actualities, and download any related image assets. Further, theproduction content creation server, system and method can process theaudio actuality to modify dynamic range, equalization, duration, etc.,and transcode audio actualities to the required delivery formats.Further, in some embodiments, the production content creation server,system and method can translate the headline and article text into anyneeded target languages. For example, the production content creationserver, system and method can render the various translations of theheadlines and article text to speech using a speech to text engine. Thisprocess can render each element into multiple voices (of potentiallydifferent genders, personalities and tempos) that also correspond totheir target languages. Further, the production content creation server,system and method can process the rendered speech to text audio files tomodify dynamic range, equalization, duration, etc., and transcode therendered speech files to the appropriate required delivery formats. Insome further embodiments, the production content creation server, systemand method can generate waveforms (optional), and store the audio assetsin a server or database. Using level 1 and/or level 2 analysis, theproduction content creation server, system and method can process theaudio files using a subset of the full analysis suite targeted fornon-musical data, and upload the data to the database with all of thecorresponding details.

In reference to the newsmaker engine, when a news break is requested tobe scheduled by the server, the client can send a collection ofparameters for processing by the production content creation server,system and method. In some embodiments, these can include, but not belimited to, what “genre” of audio styling to use. This can control theuse of musical bumpers and backgrounds in order to better fit the newsbroadcast into a branded experience or musical context. In some furtherembodiments, the parameters can include what “Mood” of audio styling touse. This can also help select the appropriate musical beds, voices andstylistic affects of the reads (like tempo and amplitude) to better fitthe news broadcast into a branded experience or musical context. In somefurther embodiments, the parameters can include any specific voiceoverrides, such as if particular voices are desired for pre-produced ordynamically produced elements, these can be selected here. In some otherembodiments, the parameters can include what categories of content toinclude in the news broadcast. From a large collection of categories andkeywords, those delivered can be prioritized and can indicate whatcontent to target to the end user. These can be derived from brandpreferences (the access channel), by individual user preference (derivedor explicitly selected) or a combination of both. In some furtherembodiments, the parameters can include a window of time to search forstories, which can indicate how current the news needs to be. Forexample, the last 2 hours, last 24 hours, last week, etc. In someembodiments of the invention, the parameters can include how manystories or how long of a broadcast to produce. This value can indicatethe duration of the expected news broadcast or the number of uniquestories to produce for the news broadcast.

In some embodiments of the invention, the parameters can be used by theproduction content creation server, system and method to build out therecipe for the news broadcast. For example, in some embodiments, in afirst step, the production content creation server, system and methodcan retrieve the stories that match the categories and window of time tobe included in the broadcast. In another, step, the production contentcreation server, system and method can distill the identified storiesinto time and theme correlated bundles. In a another step, theproduction content creation server, system and method can attempt tocompose the news broadcast using the most current representations of thevarious content themes, driven by any shared priorities or by prioritiesindicated in the content itself (e.g. breaking news prioritizedselection). In a further step, if a break cannot be composed for thenumber of articles or time requested, the production content creationserver, system and method can expand the search both in breadth ofthemes and time and try again until either successful or, after a numberof passes, failing and returning an error code. In another step, theproduction content creation server, system and method can collect theaudio features for the assets that are to be used (including music beds,bumpers, announcers, news reads, audio actualities, etc.). In a anotherstep, the production content creation server, system and method cancalculate the sequence, timings and amplitudes the news break based onthe audio features. In some embodiments, breaks can be composed a numberof ways, interacting with music and actualities, alternating betweenvoices, etc. For example, one non-limiting embodiments of the playlistcan include: start news bumper music fade down bumper music, transitionto looped music bed, and overlay pre-produced announcer introduction,and play tts announcer 1 story 1, and play related audio actuality forstory 1 play tts announcer 1 byline for story 1 play tts announcer 2story 2. Further, the playlist can include play tts announcer 1 story 3,play related audio actuality for story 3 play tts announcer 1 byline foractuality 3 transition to end news bumper music fade up bumper music,and queue pre-produced announcer outtro return the recipe to the clientfor playback.

In some embodiments, the behavior of the production content creationserver, system and method can be directed by the audio characteristicsof the “in” and the “out” portions of content elements. For example,similar to that described earlier with respect to FIG. 20, in someembodiments, during content processing for creation of a producedelement for a broadcast segment, the production content creation server,system and method can determine if a gap would be created by insertionof the content elements. The production content creation server, systemand method can decide to place a content item between an “out” contentand the “in” content of a broadcast to include a very high probabilityof fixing any gap between content items (e.g., >95% likelihood of beingfixed). In some embodiments, in real time, the production contentcreation server, system and method can apply a selection process usingconstraining criteria to select the content items and arrange thecontent items to smoothly bridge a fade out and fade in gap within theproduced element. In some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can move a fade in gap (e.g., the opening ofanother content element) to shape and tighten the produced element withan improved listening experience.

In some embodiments, the processing of a produced element can start withan analysis using one or more pieces of specific information provided bythe client user (such as preferences). The information can compriseinformation comprising an “out” element and an “in” element. Further, insome embodiments, the accompanying information can include one or moreclient user preferences. In some embodiments, the “in” and “out” can bethe in and out of any audio item or content element comprisinginformation that be used, at least in part to guide or direct theproduction content creation of the items. For example, in someembodiments, the content element can include a news announcement orbreak, a song, an announcement, a DJ announcement, a weatherannouncement, or a commercial announcement, or a combination thereof. Inone example embodiment, an audio content element can comprise an “out”element comprising a news announcement or break, and the “in” elementcan comprise a song or music item. In this instance, the productioncontent creation server, system and method can analyze the informationas described above to determine a joining or production content creationof adjacent “in” element and “out” elements so that any produced elementis preferred or deemed audibly acceptable or desirable to a listenerwhen inserted into a broadcast segment.

In some further embodiments, the production content creation server,system and method can perform a beat-frame analysis of the audio contentusing at least a portion of an audio content file. In some embodiments,beats or other position identifiers in audio spectra can be tagged ormarked based on a frame number. In other embodiments, the positionidentifiers can be based on time. In other embodiments, positionidentifiers can be based on sections or segments of the audio or otherposition markers that enable the audio to be divided into measurableintervals.

Some embodiments include the influence of one or more factors used tocalculate or adjust scheduling decision making by the production contentcreation server, system and method For example, some embodiments includea factor of the user's history, such as for example the user'spreviously played audio content and selections. In some embodiments, theuser's history can include the user's previous play history defining theuser's like or dislike for content that includes at least one break. Forexample, a user's previous play history can include play time, contentor preferences that demonstrate the user does not tolerate a significantnumber of news breaks, DJ announcer breaks, weather breaks, etc.

Some embodiments of the invention enable automated and fullycustomizable brand modifications as market needs or desired marketpenetration change. In some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can use a multistep process to create aproduced element, where initially, an analysis of pieces of content ofthe elements that are being assembled is performed, and the analysis isco-mingled with user preferences and brand preferences as a templatethat is used to perform the content assembly.

In some embodiments of the invention, the production content creationserver, system and method can search for content elements that are notavailable. In some embodiments, the process is “self-healing” on the fly(e.g., substantially in real time) to get as close as possible to thetemplate even if some intent or preferences are abandoned based on theoriginal template instructions. For example, in some embodiments, apreference or directive from a brand can include positioning andblending various content elements. In instances where the productioncontent creation server, system and method cannot find or determine thelocation of a relevant and properly contextualized content element fromat least one of the brand content pools, the production content creationserver, system and method can abandon the specific intent to productioncontent creation.

Some embodiments include automatic override of intent based on ananalysis of the content. In some embodiments, the override of intentbased can be based on any of the aforementioned Formatics, including,but not limited to, specific pools of content for voiceover branding andcontent, allowance of voiceover branding, and allowance of extendedcontent (interviews, quotes, trivia, news, ads, music beds, sweepers,etc.). For example, in some embodiments, a brand preference can includeplacing a content element the beginning or at least part way throughproduced content. In some embodiments, based at least in part on theavailability of the content element, and/or an audio influencingcharacteristic of the content element, the production content creationserver, system and method can perform an override action. For example,the override action can include determining another location of thecontent, selecting a different content, selecting a different location,and/or selecting an alternative audio content item or element such as asweeper. In some embodiments, the production content creation server,system and method can enable the user or brand to select the level ofoverride or behavior.

Some embodiments include a weighted precision system to dial in thebehavior of the production content creation server, system and methodwhen processing a template. For example, in some embodiments, a clientuser or brand can select a weighted precision factor to increase ordecrease the likelihood that the production content creation server,system and method will override a user or brand intent. In someembodiments, the production content creation server, system and methodcan use multiple factors including, but not limited to, the user'shistory, meta-data such as splog data, and use, client, and/or brandpreferences during the production content assembly.

In some embodiments, the production content creation server, system andmethod can be configured to recognize the instance of a small or thesmallest available item to make decisions about how the items can beassembled. In some embodiments, various factors or parameters of an itemsuch as a quote, a liner, an interview, a commercial, and/or a newsfeature or newsbreak segment can be analyzed and used to defineproduction content creation, joining, or overlap behavior into aproduced element. For example, in some embodiments, the productioncontent creation server, system and method can analyze and/or receivedata for a quote based on the content (e.g., such as the use of certainwords that may not be acceptable to play during a broadcast). In otherembodiments, the production content creation server, system and methodcan select or de-select (e.g., apply an override) based on the nature ofthe content and the current environment (e.g., such as understanding ifthe content relates to a specific public holiday and not to play thecontent outside of a corresponding holiday period). In some furtherembodiments, the production content creation server, system and methodcan include overlay or join factors for defining the behavior of theproduction content creation server, system and method when contentelements are assembled into a produced element.

Some embodiments include a separation metric that uses a damping andlogarithmic factors to increase a probability of broadcast over time. Insome embodiments, the production content creation server, system andmethod can reduce the probability a specific content element (such as aspecific news item, weather item, specific DJ announcement, etc.) isplayed during a specified or calculated period of time since the contentitem was last played. Some embodiments allow dampening to be adjustedusing a GUI. In some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can essentially distribute content itemsthrough any period of time that is substantially random, and/or appearsto a listener (independent of the listeners continuous listening period)to be within periodicity or repetition. In some embodiments, theproduction content creation server, system and method can apply aSimpsons index of diversity approach to understanding a pool of contentand schedule a segment comprising a series of items that appear diverseover time.

In some embodiments, content delivered to a user can be processed usingthe production engine on the user's device or a coupled server platformby pulling content and following customized content from a pool ofcontent elements. In other embodiments, a specially configured servercan build in real time content that is (or is representative of) acustomized produced element (e.g., such as a newsbreak) for delivery tothe user. For example, in some embodiments, audio content elementsproduced by a newsreader, a broadcaster or brand anchor, an announcersuch as a disc jockey a singer, a vocalist, an actor, a member of thepublic, an instrument, and/or a band, music beds, sweeps, voice-overs,or the like, can be selected and pulled and assembled in real time basedon the characteristics and user driven preferences and/or brandpreferences. In this instance, the engine can cascade priorities in realtime to produce a pre-produced package that is being combined by theproduction engine or by a specially configured server that builds theaudio content file in real time representative of the customized breakas a single produced content element file.

In some embodiments, the audio blending system and method and/or theproduction content creation server, system and method can be coupled toor controlled using an autonomous, artificially intelligent, or pseudoartificially intelligent device controlled or interfaced with the user.For example, in some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can be coupled to or controlled through aninternet connected device such as Amazon Echo′. In other embodiments,the production content creation server, system and method can be coupledto or controlled through an automotive entertainment system.

In some embodiments, the production content creation server, system andmethod can dissect content elements of available pooled content, labeland make variable the elements, and drive the construction of a producedelement based on possible surrounding elements, and any user experiencesand preferences, and/or preferences of a brand. In some embodiments, theproduction content creation server, system and method can perform orprocess a join analysis by processing one or more primary and overlaycontent elements. For example, primary elements (which includessweepers), can comprise songs, music beds, block (such as interviewswith play). In some embodiments, sweepers can bridge between primary andoverlay elements. Overlay content can comprise principally voice contentin some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the production engine can process a music bed thatcan be extended to fit any length as needed through a) initial selectionof an appropriate bed with a close duration and b) the looping of orcutting certain known, marked sections to morph the bed to a moreexacting length. The spacing between overlaid elements can be adjustedin order to have the various points of synchronization within the musicelement matched almost exactly.

Some embodiments include the production content creation server, systemand method performing a join analysis to determine whether sweepers areneeded and/or if volume reduction at the end of a content element orsweeper is needed. In some embodiments, the production content creationserver, system and method can include an analysis of how the contentelement ends, how the next content element begins, whether binding isneeded (e.g., with special effects), and whether volume reduction of aprevious content element is required to get a better match betweencontent elements. In some embodiments, it can also “duck” the volumearound overlays (to reduce the music volume when an announcer isspeaking and then return it to a default level).

In some embodiments, the production content creation server, system andmethod can extend or reduce distance between content elements. Someembodiments include a characterization of transition (whether smooth,attractive), and determination if energy or mood is maintained ormanaged. In some embodiments, the production content creation server,system and method can include the use of tempo, amplitude, and/orharmonic factors in the analysis to characterize the mood or amulti-variant mood over a period of time. Some embodiments include theproduction content creation server, system and method performing ananalysis of positive or negative words or emotions to define a sentimentof a produced element or a portion of a produced element or element.

In some embodiments, a produced content element can be processed by theproduction engine of the production content creation server, system andmethod to include mood constraining parameters. In some embodiments,content elements including, but not limited to, one or moreannouncements, one or more news items, one or more weather items, one ormore specific DJ announcements, one or more newsbreak items or features,or at least a portion of a commercial, text-to-speech content, at leastone sweeper, a music bed, etc., can be included to alter mood. Forexample, in some embodiments, a first audio file can comprise a lowenergy portion, and the second audio file can comprise a high energyportion. In some embodiments, in real time, the production contentcreation server, system and method can apply a selection process usesconstraining criteria to select the content items with different energylevels and arrange the items to smoothly bridge the energy levels of thefirst and second audio files when the produced element is inserted intothe broadcast. In some embodiments, time compression/expansion can beapplied to constrain a production content to a specified period of timewithout any change in pitch of any portion of the production content.Time compression/expansion is a DSP process that would be done at timeof ingestion of the content to be adjusted. This is a technique that isused to subtly alter the length of some items (voice overs, music beds,sound effects, etc.) to create far more variants than were originallyprovided by the talent and/or producers. Using this method, time can bestretched without altering pitch by small amounts. For example, a fivesecond announcer read can be compressed and expanded to the followingdurations: 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5. Thesevariants are used to better fit the time available in song overlays andmusic beds, enabling very precise timing without having to force humantalent to generate all of the needed variants.

In some embodiments, one or more of the above described methods of theproduction content creation server, system and method can be controlledthrough a dedicated GUI. For example, FIG. 26 illustrates a productionengine interface 4200 of the production content creation server, systemand method in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, andFIG. 27A illustrates a produced element interface 4500 of the productionengine interface of FIG. 26 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 26, in some embodiments, the interface 4200can enable selection and assembly of a produced element between an outcontent item 4202 and an in content item 4204. FIG. 27A shows aninterface 4500 for selection and assembly of a produced element 4510using a pool of news or informational content elements 4502 as shown. Insome embodiments, the interface 4500 can enable visualization of acascade of content elements 4515 within the produced element 4510. Insome embodiments, the produced element 4515 shown in FIG. 27A can bestitched to the produced element 4215 of FIG. 26. In other embodiments,the produced element of FIG. 27A can be integrated between the in andout content items shown in FIG. 26. FIG. 27B illustrates a productionengine interface 4800 of the production content creation server, systemand method in accordance with some further embodiments of the invention.FIG. 27B shows an alternative interface 4500 for selection and assemblyof a produced elements 4815 in a produced content display 4810 for outsong 4802 and in song 4804.

In any of the embodiments described earlier, content can bepre-sequenced. Some further embodiments of the invention includecreating pre-sequenced content for a broadcast segment or audioproduction. In some embodiments, using selected content elements,sequence content can be created that can then be used alone or incombination with one or more other sequenced content and/or otherselected content for production of a produced element using a productionengine. The technology can be applied to a variety of broadcast typesincluding, but not limited to, a music and/or song show or feature, acommercial, a newsbreak, an announcer or DJ break, an interview, and/ora documentary. Some embodiments of the invention include an audiosequence system and method capable of selecting and characterizing audiocontent to create a broadcast segment in a defined sequencesubstantially in real time or near real time using a sequencing engine.In some embodiments, the audio sequence system and method can select andjoin a plurality of content elements in a defined sequence to create thebroadcast segment. All parts of the broadcast can be variable, andcontent segments can be created using the sequencing engine for abroadcast segment such as a broadcast of a plurality songs or musicdefined in the playback in a specific sequence, songs or music withnews, clips, interviews, commercials, announcements, or virtually anyaudio content including spoken words or text to speech items, sweepers,or other audio sounds.

In some embodiments, the sequencing engine can produce a sequencedcontent element that can be assembled using the methods as describedearlier. For example, some embodiments include one or more sequencedcontent elements that can be assembled or “stitched” using the methodsas described. In some embodiments, the produced content or broadcastsegment can include content elements such as one or more songs. In otherembodiments, the produced content or broadcast segment can beimplemented as a standalone broadcast, or within a broadcast segmentthat includes content element such as one or more songs that have beenassembled using any conventional assembly methods. For example, in someembodiments, the created content segment can be inserted into abroadcast at any time. In some further embodiments, the created contentsegment can be faded or blended into a broadcast at any time. In someembodiments, the insertion, fading or sequencing can be timed based onthe broadcast content, the content segment content, user preferences,and/or brand preferences.

Some embodiments of the invention include an audio sequencing system andmethod capable of characterizing one or more parameters of a firstcontent item, one or more parameters of at least one other content item,and preparing a content segment with a defined sequence or arrangementof content items. In some embodiments, the one or more characteristicsof the audio sequencing can be based at least in part on one or more ofthe parameters of the first content item and/or any number of othercontent items in the content segment. In some embodiments of theinvention, the audio sequencing system and method can include at leastone machine process such as a process performed by a computer system orspecially configured server (referred to herein as a “computer system”)executing one or more software modules of the audio sequencing systemand method. In some embodiments, the audio sequencing system and methodcan also include one or more analytical methods performed by a humananalyst. In some embodiments of the invention, the audio sequencingsystem and method can analyze one or more content items using at leastone computer system based method and at least one human analyst oroperator.

FIG. 28 depicts a production sequencing method 5000 according to someembodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, one or more contentpools 5010, 5020, 5030 can be used by the sequencing engine to produceone or more sequenced content elements. In some embodiments, contentretrieved from one or more of the content pools can used to create anoptimized pool of content. The content can comprise any type of contentand associated metadata. For example, non-limiting examples as describedbelow can include songs as types of content. In other embodiments, thecontent can comprise any audio and/or audio-visual content describedherein. For example, in the case of voice over content, the content cancomprise the voice, and/or the mood of read, and/or the length of theread, and/or the core message of the read, and/or the exact text of theread, and/or the category of message, and/or the appropriate genre(s)for the voiceover, and/or the related content for the read (artist,album, track, genre, channel, brand).

In some embodiments, optimization can include screening and selectingcontent elements by genre, artist, popularity, sales volume, mood,energy, etc. In other embodiments, the content can be accessed and usedun-optimized, or the content pool provider can provide pre-optimizedcontent. In some embodiments, the sequencing engine can accessparameters or attributes associated with the content element. Theseparameters can be stored in a splog file that is accessed or calculatedby the audio sequencing system and method. In some embodiments, thesplog file can include how one content item relates to another song, themood, energy level, etc. In some embodiments, the splog file data can beapplied to the pool of content to determine the order. The splog filecan be used to create an order or sequence of content items based on arules engine and/or one or more definable parameters. This can be usedto create a mood or energy of a production sequence such as a naturalfeel. The experience selection can be based on user preferences, brandpreferences, an algorithm, and/or system preferences. In someembodiments, the splog file can be used as a final filter to optimizethe pool so that the pool can be filtered based on the energy attributesof all the content items so that playlist has the most natural feel. Thesplog file data can help to provide sequencing decisions to enable theaudio sequencing system and method to define the content order toproduce a desired or specific listening experience. Using a sequencingengine 5060, a production sequence 5070 can be generated using contentelements from one or more pools of content (e.g., 5010, 5020, 5030) andprocessed using a splog file analysis 5050. Pools of content includingoptimized pools of content can be used, and are widely known and used inthe broadcasting industry. In some instances, the pools of content canbe provided by a third party. In some embodiments, the pools can be usedraw (e.g., as provided and unoptimized), or can be optimized pools. Insome embodiments, the system and method can optimize 5040 any accessedand/or accumulated content 5010, 5020, 5030. In some embodiments, theaudio sequencing system and method can build or process a library ofelements within a library database that can be within the content poolfor use with sequencing. In some embodiments, the sequencing can takeinto account all the elements of a constructed sequence, and using thecontent and order, the audio sequencing system and method can usesequencing processes with any of the library content built by the audiosequencing system and method.

In conventional content creation (e.g., for a radio station), contentsequencing is generally created using a selection process based on asequence order (e.g., based on positions on a clock face) where aspecific sequence is selected based on the position on the clock face(e.g., where specific times or ranges of times can specify playing froma specific content pool such as an “A” type content pool, “B” typecontent pool, or “C” type content pool), and based on any specific time,content is selected from any one of the specified content pools. Anycontent that has been played is recorded in a log (comprising contentitem play history), and based on one or more rules such as when the lasttime a specific artist from any one content pool has been played, anartist is played or skipped in favor of another selection from the pool.Any played content is rotated to the back of the content pool (e.g., “A”type content pool, “B” type content pool, or “C” type content pool basedon the originating pool). Using this method, content item separation canbe based on the number of content items in the content pools, and thenumber of times the content pool appears on the clock sequence. Ingeneral, for various reasons, interactivity can prevent the conventioncontent sequencing from functioning effectively. However, derived fromthe conventional methods as described, content sequencing can besuccessfully implemented using one or more random variables, rules, orcombinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, content can beselected randomly from any one or more pools or content. Moreover, thecontent of each of the pools can be randomized at any time, before orafter one or more selections from any one of the pools of content.

In some embodiments, the probability of any one of the pools or anycontent of any one of the pools from being available for selectionduring a random selection event can be modified. For example, inreference to graph 5500 of FIG. 29 showing content selection probabilityas a function of time, in some embodiments, during any time period,there can be a zero probability of the content being played (shown asthe ‘tamping variable period’ 5510). Within another time period, therecan be a “return” period 5520, where the probability of the contentbeing played rises, and eventually returns to a base probability 5530assigned to the content or pool of content. In some embodiments,depending on a variety of factors, the return period behavior can varyas shown as probability types 1 (5540), type 2 (5560), and type 3(5570). The tamping period can also vary in some embodiments. Forexample, in some embodiments, the tamping period and/or return and therise behavior can depend on the content (e.g., such as the song or thealbum the song originates), the genre, popularity, one or more sploggingvariables as disclosed herein (e.g., such as not playing more than threecontent items with long introductions within a specific time period),the base level probability, or combinations thereof, etc.

In some embodiments of the invention, the content selection can bemultidimensional including a song or item, a video, etc., andadditionally, attributes of the content can be used to adjust theprobability of the playing of the content such as the artist, album,genre, mood, theme (i.e., any of the slogging attributes disclosedherein). For example, selection of an element may pass an artistselection criteria but fail a mood criteria, however, the probabilityselection is adjusted so that there is no failure to zero (i.e., acontent element will always be selected to play regarding of the appliedcriteria to any randomly selected content from any random orspecifically selected pool of content.

In some embodiments, the content selection can use a temporal timingselection as described above with respect to conventional methods todrive or affect the outcome of probability selection defined anddescribed in FIG. 29. For example, when a clock position definesselection from an “A” type pool, any selected content probabilityderived from the method of FIG. 29 is driven towards “A” type contentand away from “B” and “C” type content. In other embodiments, ratherthan the “A” type content selection being derived based on time, thedriving content (e.g., whether driving “A”, “B”, or “C” content) can bebased on a specific sequence of A, B, and C content (e.g., such as‘acbcbacbacab’ or ‘bcacbacbacacb’, and so on). This methods allows forflexibility to insert items without being driven solely by a timesequence. For example, an ad can be inserted between the first bac andthe second bac of the sequence ‘bcacbacbacacb’, and after the add isinserted, the sequence continues from the ad to the second bac sequence.

In some further embodiments, any content or category of contentdescribed herein can be assigned a specific probability of playing. Forexample, a first category can be assigned a 20% chance, a secondcategory can be assigned a 30% chance, and a third category can beassigned a 50% chance of playing. In some other embodiments, any contentor category of content described herein can be assigned a specificprobability of playing that can be influenced by a temporal clock asdescribed above.

Some embodiments can include one or more overrides of selectionparameters. In some embodiments, any selected content can be arranged insequence based on a rules engine or rules defined in a rules database(defining the override). In some embodiments, the sequencing engine canthen apply one or more rules to any content item from any number ofbuckets of content. In some embodiments, content sequencing can bedefined using more than one rule. In some embodiments, one or more rulescan be dominant or controlling over one or more other rules. Forexample, for any given content pool including settings for separation,the settings can be modified for any period of time. For example, forany given period, if the combination of settings initially defined theselection probability from one category to be zero, content may still beplayed from the category during a specified time period (e.g., during aperiod running from Thanksgiving Holiday to Christmas) based at least inpart on an override rule (i.e., that specifies content from theinitially zero probably pool to be played during the specified period).As a further non-limiting example embodiment, some embodiments includeapplying a gender rule that ensures two female vocalists do not playsequentially. In some further embodiments, rules can be based on a moodlevel or type. In some embodiments, combinations of mood and genre caninterplay with respect to which type of announcer and/or events for thebreak can be sequenced by the audio sequencing system and method. Insome embodiments, the audio sequencing system and method can recognizethe difference between genres and types of moods (such as high-energyjazz and high-energy rock) by a spectrum balancing process. As anon-limiting example, a broadcast of post-lunch playing of content itemscan be created by using transition information to choose content itemsto order the sequence based on the splog data to control the mood orenergy level (e.g., to maintain an upbeat or medium to high energy toencourage or influence the alertness of the listener). In some furtherembodiments, rules can be at least partially based on frequency of playand separation. In some further embodiments, content sequencing can bebased on one or more constriction rules to ensure a sequenced contentcomprises a non-diversified content (e.g., such as when featuringcontent from one artist or combination of a limited number of artists).In some other embodiments, content sequencing can be based on one ormore diversification rules to ensure a sequenced content comprises adiversified content (e.g., such as when featuring content from aplurality of artists and/or genres) to ensure the sequenced content isdiverse. In some embodiments, one or more rules can be applied based onone or more date and/or time periods. In some embodiments, the rules canbe applied based on separation, averaging, peaks and/or valley limitingof the content (e.g., specifying an average mood across a certain numberof content items, or peaking at a certain content item or time period).

In some embodiments, the content of the content pools can be based atleast partially on human input. In some further embodiments, the contentof the content pools can be based at least partially on automatedselection (e.g., by a computer, including a system 30 of the audiosequencing system and method). In some embodiments, the content of thecontent pools can be based at least partially on human input and systeminput). Further, in some embodiments, the rules applied to content ofthe content pools can be based at least partially on human input. Insome further embodiments, the rules of the content pools can be based atleast partially on automated selection (e.g., by a computer, including asystem 30 of the audio sequencing system and method analyzing the poolof content). In some further embodiments, the rules of the content poolscan be based at least partially on human input and system input. In someembodiments, the system can override any combination of rules initiallydefined by a human. In other embodiments, automated rules can beoverridden by human input. In some embodiments, one or more rules can berelaxed (using an ease-back process).

In some embodiments, one or more brand content pools can be linked tothe brands preferences. For example, in some embodiments, a brandcontent pool can comprise pieces of audio, music beds, sweepers, andother factors that are being sequenced that define a sound that is thecontent pool including liners, sweepers, news, produced features, artistinterviews, etc. In some embodiments, any number or combination ofcontent elements from the pool can be assembled in a specific sequenceso that the resulting broadcast segment at least partially defines thebrand and distinguishes the brand from competitive offerings.

In some embodiments, in real time, the audio sequencing system andmethod can apply a selection process that uses constraining criteriaapplied to selected content including, but not limited to an one or morespecific artists, one or more artist's albums, chart data (e.g., such aspopularity or sales), and non-interpretive meta-data, splog data, etc.Further, other data can be used including individual user data, futureaudience data, and historical data including sequence history orrecurring temporal parameters of the sequences.

In some embodiments, sequencing ordering can be fixed. In someembodiments, content can be selected from one or more buckets of contentand arranged in a fixed or random order. In some embodiments, buckets ofcontent can include sub-categories or buckets of content within a bucketof content. In some embodiments, the buckets of content can becategorized, and content can be selected from any one of multiplecategorized buckets of content. For example, in some embodiments,buckets of content can be categorized by one or more parameters,including, but not limited to release data, announcer drops, newsbreaks,etc. In some further embodiments, content can be selected from one ormore buckets of content, and can be arranged dynamically in order inreal time. In other embodiments, contents selected from one or morebuckets of content can be played for a certain percentage of time (e.g.,played at least once or multiple times over a period of time). In someembodiments, in addition to fixed and random sequencing of content,hybrid sequencing can be used based on one or more methods includingplayed or repeated interval time, fixed or hard sequence rules, randomselection, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, real time audio content selection can comprise auser playing content in real time and a next content can be selectedbased on a selection from a pool and the user's play history using anycombination of the selection and sequencing rules described earlier. Theaudio sequencing system and method can apply a selection process for acontent that is next played by the user substantially in real time ornear real time. In some embodiments, the selection is stitched withother content items. In other embodiments, the audio sequencing systemand method can apply a selection process in batch to produce content ofany size for any play period. For example, for an offline user, theaudio sequencing system and method can apply a selection process todefine a total play content with a play list into the future for aspecific period of time.

In some embodiments, the audio sequencing system and method can apply alook-back process to search for content played in the past at anyspecific time or during any specific time period. Using this process,the audio sequencing system and method can apply a selection process toavoid content selection for playing during similar time periods. In someembodiments, the look-back process to search for content played based onmood, songs, albums, genres, artists, or any splogging criteria to avoidtime period repetition of the content selection. In some embodiments,the audio sequencing system and method can apply any rules to contenttaking into account gaps in a user's listening period. For example, insome embodiments, a look-back process applied over a longer time periodduring which a user was not listening can be compressed and applied to auser's total listening time (i.e., the listening time period comprisingseparated listening time periods). The audio sequencing system andmethod can adjoin each listening time, or reduce by a certain factor.

Any of the operations described herein that form part of the inventionare useful machine operations. The invention also relates to a device oran apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus can bespecially constructed for the required purpose, such as a specialpurpose computer. When defined as a special purpose computer, thecomputer can also perform other processing, program execution orroutines that are not part of the special purpose, while still beingcapable of operating for the special purpose. Alternatively, theoperations can be processed by a general purpose computer selectivelyactivated or configured by one or more computer programs stored in thecomputer memory, cache, or obtained over a network. When data isobtained over a network the data can be processed by other computers onthe network, e.g. a cloud of computing resources.

The embodiments of the present invention can also be defined as amachine that transforms data from one state to another state. The datacan represent an article, that can be represented as an electronicsignal and electronically manipulate data. The transformed data can, insome cases, be visually depicted on a display, representing the physicalobject that results from the transformation of data. The transformeddata can be saved to storage generally or in particular formats thatenable the construction or depiction of a physical and tangible object.In some embodiments, the manipulation can be performed by a processor.In such an example, the processor thus transforms the data from onething to another. Still further, the methods can be processed by one ormore machines or processors that can be connected over a network. Eachmachine can transform data from one state or thing to another, and canalso process data, save data to storage, transmit data over a network,display the result, or communicate the result to another machine.Computer-readable storage media, as used herein, refers to physical ortangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includes without limitationvolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable storage mediaimplemented in any method or technology for the tangible storage ofinformation such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data.

Although method operations can be described in a specific order, itshould be understood that other housekeeping operations can be performedin between operations, or operations can be adjusted so that they occurat slightly different times, or can be distributed in a system whichallows the occurrence of the processing operations at various intervalsassociated with the processing, as long as the processing of the overlayoperations are performed in the desired way.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while theinvention has been described above in connection with particularembodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited,and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications anddepartures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to beencompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of eachpatent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as ifeach such patent or publication were individually incorporated byreference herein. Various features and advantages of the invention areset forth in the following claims.

1. A production content server system comprising: a computing device comprising at least one processor; a non-transitory computer readable medium, having stored thereon, instructions that when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: causing a content reader server to couple to at least one content source using a wired or wireless link, the at least one content source includes content; downloading at least one content file associated with at least some content retrieved from the content source, the at least one content file including at least one of an audio and a video; transcoding at least a portion of the at least one content file with a dynamic range compression to a specified dynamic range, equalization and duration; processing at least one content audio file from the at least one content file; and storing the at least one content audio file to a production content database.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: translating any headline and article text associated with the at least one content file and processing to rendered speech using a speech to text file; processing the rendered speech to audio speech files, the audio speech files being specified to a pre-selected dynamic range, equalization and duration; and processing the at least one content audio file with audio actuality of content derived from the at least one content file and the speech file, wherein the at least one content audio file comprises at least one multimedia element included based on a context of any complete or partial story of the content.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one content source includes at least one of an RSS feed, a JSON file, a PDX file, a CSV file, and a text file.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one content source comprises at least one of a third-party server or database, and at least one internal server or database of the production content server system.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the content includes at least one of a news article, a news brief, a news event, a news break, a news announcement, a current news event, lifestyle related news, social media news, and a past or historical news event.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the content includes at least one of an article or event, a commercial or ad, announcer information, DJ information, at least a portion of a song, music, sound effect, trivia information, weather information, lifestyle related information, social media information, and interviewer or interviewee information.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a content maker server front end coupled to the production content database, the content maker server front end configured and arranged to select and assemble production content using at least one content audio file from the production content database.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: receiving from a user content break parameters including at least one of a type of content, a content age or currency, a number of content articles to include, a language, a start time, a volume, a duration of a single content article or group of content articles, and user or system-specified defaults; retrieving at least one content audio file by accessing the production content database, the at least one content audio file selected based at least in part on the content break parameters; attempting preparation of at least one sequence including a timing to voice start using the at least one content file, wherein a successful attempt is based at least in part on user provided priorities, one or more priorities from the content break parameters, and one or more parameters from the at least one new content audio file; and wherein for a successful attempt, using the sequence, processing a production break audio file including the at least one content audio file; and for an unsuccessful attempt, returning to retrieving at least one content audio file and repeating attempting preparation of the at least one sequence using a number of breadth of content themes and content times that exceeds the breadth of content themes and content times of prior attempts.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: selecting at least one production break audio file; and blending the at least one production break audio file with at least one other content file.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one other content file includes at least one of a song and a music audio file
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the blending comprises an overlap between the at least one production break audio file and the at least one other content file.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the blending is based on at least one of a mood, a specific voice override, a style, and a genre of the at least one other content file.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the production break parameters includes at least one of a mood, a specific voice override, and genre of the at least other content file.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one other content file is selected based at least in part on an availability of production break audio file and the mood, a specific voice override, and genre of the at least other content file.
 15. A production content server system comprising: a computing device comprising at least one processor; a non-transitory computer readable medium, having stored thereon, instructions that when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: causing a content maker engine to couple to at least one content server or database, the at least one content server or database including at least one content audio file, the at least one content audio file comprising content from at least one content source, the content including at least one of audio and video; and receiving from a user content break parameters including at least one of a type of content, a content age or currency, a number of content articles to include, a language, a start time, a volume, a duration of a single content article or group of content articles; retrieving at least one content audio file by accessing the production content database, the at least one content audio file selected based at least in part on the content break parameters; attempting preparation of at least one sequence including a timing to voice start using the at least one content file, wherein a successful attempt is based at least in part on user provided priorities, one or more priorities from the content break parameters, and one or more parameters from the at least one new content audio file; and for a successful attempt, using the sequence, processing a production break audio file including the at least one content audio file; and for an unsuccessful attempt, returning to retrieving at least one content audio file and repeating attempting preparation of the at least one sequence using a greater number of breadth of content themes and content times than used in any one previous attempt; and blending the at least one production break audio file with at least one other content file.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one other content file includes at least one of a song and a music file.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one content source comprises at least one of a third-party server or database, at least one internal server or database of the production content server system, a JSON file, a PDX file, a CSV file, a TEXT file, and an RSS feed.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the blending comprises an overlap between the at least one production break audio file and the at least one other content file.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the blending is based on at least one of a mood, a specific voice override, a style, and a genre of the at least one other content file.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the production break parameters includes at least one of a mood, a specific voice override, and genre of the at least one other content file.
 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one other content file is selected based at least in part on an availability of production break audio file and the mood, a specific voice override, and genre of the at least one other content file.
 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the content includes at least one of a news article, a news brief, a news event, a news break, a news announcement, a current news event, lifestyle related news, social media news, and a past or historical news event.
 23. The system of claim 15, wherein the content includes at least one of an article or event, a commercial or ad, announcer information, DJ information, at least a portion of a song, music, sound effect, trivia information, lifestyle related information, social media information, weather information, and interviewer or interviewee information. 